The adventures of Gil Blas de Saintillane. Translated from the French by Tobias Smollett

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ADVENTURES

OF

GIL B L \ 8

SANTILLANE.

TKAN.'I-ATEU

FROM THF: FRENCH OF LE SAGE,
TOBIAS SMOLLETT, M.D.

EMU!. LUSHED

WITH FliTEEN HIGHLY I IMSHED ENGRAVINGS,
FR()>I DRAWINGS DESIGNED EXPRESSLY
FOR THIS EDITION.

N THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. \. \\,^

V

LONDON: <^ i ^

PRINTED FOR THOMAS M'LKAN; JOHN BlMPl'^: W. H. RF.IJ).
J0H5 BRLMUY; AND I lUKSTLhY WD WKALK.

1819.

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I,/

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Printed hi/ J. HrttlelL,
Ituptrt Street, Haymarkct, Lnnrlon.

THE

AUTHOR'S DECLARATION.

As there are some people who cannot read with-
out making applications of the vicious and ludi-
crous characters they meet with in works of this
kindj I declare to these mischievous readers, that
thej will be to blame, if they apply any of the
pictures drawn in this book. I publicly own that
my purpose is to represent life as we find it : but
God forbid that I should undertake to delineate
any man in particular ! Let no reader, therefore,
assume to himself that which properly belongs to
others, lest, as Phcedrus observes, he make an
unlucky discovery of his own character. Stulte
nudabit animi conscientiam. There are physicians
in Castile, as well as in France, whose practice
consists in evacuating their patients a little too
much ; and the same vices and peculiarities of dis-
position are to be seen every where. I confess that I
VOL. I. a

yi AUTHORS Dr.CLARATIOM,

have not always exactly observed the manners of the
Spaniards ; and those who are acquainted with the
disorderly lives of the players at Madrid may
reproach me with having described their irregula-
rities with too much tenderness : but I thought it
■was necessary to soften tliem a little, that they
might be the more conformable to the manners of
our own country.

GIL BLAS

THE READER.

Gentle reader, before thou hearest the historj of
my life, give ine leave to entertain thee with a
short story.

Two scholars, in their way from Pennafiel to
Salamanca, being- thirsty and fatigued, sat down
by a spring they met with on the road. There,
while they rested themselves, after having quenched
their thirst, they perceived, by accident, upon a
stone that was even with the surface of the earth,
some letters, already half effaced by time, and the
feet of flocks that came to water at the fountain :
having washed it, they read these words in the
Castilian tongue : — Aqui est a encerraiida el alma
del Licenciado Pedro Garcias. " Here is interred
the soul of the licentiate Peter Garcias." The
younger of the two students being a pert cox-
comb, no sooner read this inscription, than he
cried, with a loud laugh, " y\ good joke i'faith !

Vlll GIL BLAi TO THE READER.

Here is interred the soul — a soul interred ! — Who
the devil could be the author of such a wise
epitaph !" So saving, he got up and went away ;
while his companion, who was blessed with a
greater share of penetration, said to himself,
" There is certainly some mystery in this affair :
I'll stay in order to unriddle it." Accordingly,
his comrade was no sooner out of sight, than he
began to dig with his knife all around the stone ;
and succeeded so well, that he got it up, and
found beneath it a leathern purse, containing
a hundred ducats, and a card, on which was
written the following sentence in Latin : — Who-
soever thou art who hast wit enough to discover
the meaning of the inscription, inherit my money,
and make a better use of it than I have done."
The scholar, rejoicing at his good fortune, placed
the stone in its former situation, and walked home
to Salamanca with the soul of the licentiate.

Of what complection soever thou mayest be,
friendly Reader, thou wilt certainly resemble one
of those two scholars : for if thou perusest my
adventures, without perceiving the moral instruc-
tions they contain, thou wilt reap no harvest from
thy labour: but if thou readcst with attention,
thou wilt find in them, according to the precept
of Horace, profit mingled with pleasure.

^/

CONTENTS TO VOL. I.

BOOK THE FIRST.

CHAP. I.

Of the birth and education of Gil Bias Page 1

CHAP. II.

Of his being grievously alarmed in his way to Pennaflor: of his conduct
in that town ; with an account of a person who supped with him 5

CHAP. III.

Of the carrier's temptation on the road, and its consequence. How Gil
Bias, in attempting to get out of the frying-pan, fell into the fire 15

CHAP. IV.
A description of the subterranean habitation, and of what Gil Blaa
observed therein 20

CHAP. V.

Of the arrival of more thieves in the subterranean habitation, and the
agreeable conversation that happened among them .... 24

CHAP. VI.

Of the attempt of Gil Bias to make his escape, and the success thereof

35
CHAP. VII.
Of the behaviour of Gil Bias when he could do no better ... 39

CHAP. VIII.

Gil Bias accompanies the thieves, and performs an exploit on the high-
way 42

CHAP. IX.

Of the serious affair that followed this adventure 47

CHAP. X.
In what manner the robbers behaved to the lady. Of the Rreat «le«i^
which Gil Bla^ projected, and the issuf thereof 60

X CONTENTS.

CHAP. XI.

'Ilie history of Donna ^tencia of Mosqiiera Page 58

CHAP. XII.

The disagreeable manner hi which Gil Bias and the lady were inter-
rupted 69

CHAP. XIII.

By what accident Gil Bias was set at liberty at last ; and whither he
directed his course 74

CHAP. XIV.

Of his reception at liurgos by Donna Meneia 79

CHAP. XV.
Of the manner in which Gil Bias dressed himself. Of the new present
he received from the lady, and the equipage in which he departed
ftom Burgos 84

CHAP. XVI.

Shews that we otight not to trust too much to prosperity . . . . W

C HAP. XVII
How Gil Bias bestowed himself after the adventure of the ready-fur-
nished lodging 99

BOOK THE SECOND.

CHAP. I.

Fabricius conducts Gil Bias, and introduces him to the licentiate Sedillo :
the situation of this canon : a description of hLs housekeeper . 112

CHAP. II.

In what manner the canon was treated when he fell sick ; the conse-
quence of it ; and the legacy which he left to Gil Bias . . I4tl

CHAP. III.

Gil Bias engages himself in the service of Doctor Sangrado, and becomes
a nelebrated physician 129

CONTENTS, n

CHAP. IV.
GU Btas contiaves to art tlte pky&icnn with as modi bscccss as capacitr.

The adventure of tfi*- ring retrieved Pafc 13S

CHAP. V.
The seqiid of the rin? retrieved. Gil Bias quits the profession of ph\^ic,
and makes kis retreat from Vaiiadolid 151

CHAP. M.

Of his route when ho kft Vaiiadolid; and the person he joined on the
road 160

CHAP. VII.

ITie ston. of the journeyman barber 164

CHAP. VllI
Gil Bias and his companion conic up with a man whom tliey perceive
soaking crusts of bread in a >pring. and cuter iuto conversation
with him 197

CHAP. I\.
The condition in which Diego find* hi* faniiU ; and an account of hi.«
rejoicing*; after ^^hich Gil Bla<i bids him farewell .... 20»

K O OK T H K 1 H I R I).

cn\i'. I

The arrival of Gil Bias at Madrid ; with an acrount of the firjt ma«fer
whom he served in that city ojj

CH.AP. 11.

The astonishment of Gil Bias when he met Captain Rolando at Madrid,
and the curious things which that robber recounted to him 222

CHAP. III.
He is dismissed by Don Bernard de Castel Blazo. and enters into tbo
service of a beau 230

CHAP. IV.

How Gil Bias became acquainted with the valets of the beaus. Tlie
admirable secret they imparted to him, of acquiring the reputation
of a man of wit at a smail expense ; and the singular oath which
they obliged him to take 343

XU CONTJENTS.

CHAP. V.
Gil Bias sets up for a man of gallantry, and becomes acquainted with &
fine lady Page 252

CHAP. VI.

The conversation of some noblemen, about the players of the Prince's
company 263

CHAP. VII.

The history of Don Pompeio de Castro 270

CHAP. VIII.
By what accident Gil Bias was obliged to seek a new place . . 281

CHAP. IX.
Of the person in whose service he engaged after the death of Don

Matthias de Silva 289

CHAP. X.

Which is as short as the foregoing '..,... 294

CHAP. XI.
How the players lived together ; and their treatment of the authors 300

CHAP. XII.
Gil Bias acquires the theatrical taste, abandons himself to the plea-
sures of a comic life, with which, however, he is disgusted in a
little time 306

BOOK THE FOURTH,
CHAP. I.

Gil Bias being disgusted at the irregularities of the actresses, quits the
service of Arsenia, and gets into a more creditable family . 312

CHAP. II.

The reception w hich Gil Bias met with from Aurora, and the conver-
sation that passed between them 320

CHAP. III.

The great change that happened in the family of Don Vincent, and the
strange resolution with which love inspired the fair Aurora . 326

CHAP. IV.

The baleful marriage. A novel 334

CHAP. V.
Tfa« behaviour of Aurora de Guzman at Salamanca 372

GIL B L A S

SANTILLANE.

BOOK I.

CHAP. I.

Of the birth and education of Gil Bias.

3i Y father. Bias de Santillane, after having car-
ried arms many years for the service of the Spa-
nish monarchy, retired to the town in which he
was born, wlicre lie chose a wife among the second-
rate citizens, who, though she was no chicken,
brought me into the world ten months after her
marriage. — They afterwards removed to Oviedo,
where my mother became a waiting-woman, and
my father squire* to a lady; and as they had

* Squire, or gentlemen-usher, in Spanish Escudtro, is a
person that waits on a lady. Formerly, decayed gentlemen
were entertained by the nobility for this purpose. They took
their appellation from those eminent squires whose office was
to carry the shield (in Spain, called Escudo) of their master.
VOL. I. B

^ GIL BLAS.

nothing but their wages to depend upon, I should
have run the hazard of being very poorly educated^
had it not been my good fortune to have a canon
for my ui;cle, whose name was Gil Peres: he was
my mother's eldest brother, as well as my god-
father, a little man, three feet and a half high,
excessive fat, with his head sunk between his
shoulders ; otherwise an honest priest, whose chief
care was to live well ; that is, to make good cheer ,:
and his living, which was no lean one, furnished
him with the means.

He carried me home to his house while an
infant, taking charge of my education; and I
appeared so sprightly, that he resolved to culti-
vate ray genius. With this view he bought for
nie a horn-book, and undertook (himself) to learn
me to read; a task no less useful to him than to
me : for, in teaching me my letters, he had re-
course to his reading, which he had always neg-
lected too much: and, by dint of application,
enabled himself to read his breviary without hesita-
tion ; a qualification he had never been pcssessed
of before. — He had all the inclination in the world
to instruct me in the Latin tongue also, because
it would have been so much money saved to him :
but, alas, poor Gil Peres ! he had never in his life
understood the rudiments of that language, and
was, perhaps (but this I do not vouch for a cer-
tainty) the most illiterate canon of the whole chap-
ter.— I have been told, indeed, that he had not

GIL BLAS.

obtained his benefice by his erudition ; but owed
it entirely to the gratitude of some pious nuns^ for
whom he had acted the part of a zealous commis-
sioner, and by whose influxMice the order of priest-
hood had been conferred upon him without ex-
amination.

He was therefore obliged to subject me to the
birch of a school-master, and accordingly sent me
to the house of doctor Godinez, who was reckoned
the most expert flogger in Oviedo. I improved
so well under his instructions, that in five or six
years I understood a little Greek, was a pretty
good Latin scholar ; and applying myself also to
logic, began to argue apace : I was so much in
love with dispute, that I stopped passengers,
knowDj or unknown, and proposed arguments to
them ; and sometimes meeting with Hibernian
geniuses, who were very glad of the occasion, it
was a good jest to see us dispute : by our extra-
vagant gestures, grimace, contorfions, our eyes
full of fury, and our mouths full of foam, one
would have taken us for bedlamites rather than
philosophers.

By these means, however, I acquired the repu-
tation of a great scholar in town; a circumstance
that pleased my uncle extremely, as he foresaw that
I should not be much longer an expense to hin>: —
" Harkee, Gil Bias, (said he to me one day,) thou
art no longer a child, and it is high time for a
brisk lad of seventeen, like thee, to push thy for-

« GIL BLA3.

tune in the world: I am determined to send thee
to Salamanca^ where, with such genius and learn-
ing, thou canst not fail of obtaining some good
post: thou shalt have some ducats in thy pocket
to bear thy expenses on the road ; and I will give
thee my own mule, which thou mayest sell at Sa-
lamanca for ten or twelve pistoles, and live upon
the money until thou shalt be settled to thy satis-
faction."

He could not have proposed any thing more
agreeable to me, for I passionately longed to see
the world : nevertheless, I had discretion enough
to conceal my joy ; and when the time of my de-
parture arrived, affecting the most lively sorrow at
leaving an uncle, to whom I owed so many obli-
gations, the honest man was melted, and gave me
more money than he would have done, could he
have seen to the bottom of my heart. — Before I
set out I went to take leave of my father and
mother, who enriched mc with advice, exhorted
me to pray to God for my uncle, to live inoffen-
sively, to eschew evil, and by all means to refrain
from stealing. — After they had held forth a good
while, they made me a present of their blessing,
which was all I expected from them ; and I,
mounting my mule, bad adieu to Oviedo,

GIL BLAS.

CHAP. II.

Of his being grievously alarmed in his way to
Pennaflor : of his cotiduct in tliat town ; with
an account of a person who supped with him.

JlJehold me then in the open field, clear of
Oviedo, on the road to Pennaflor, master of my
conduct, of a sorry mule, and forty good ducats,
exclusive of some royals which I had stolen from
my much honoured uocle. — The first thing I did
was to let my beast go at discretion, that is, very
gently ; and throwing the bridle on her neck, I
emptied my purse into my hat, and amused myself
in counting my money : my joy was excessive ; and
as I had never seen so much cash before, I handled
and gazed at it with insatiable delight — I had
reckoned it, perhaps, twenty times over, when, all
of a sudden, my mule raising her head, and prick-
ing up her ears, stopped in the middle of the
high-\vay. Imagining she was tVightened at some-
thing, I looked about to see what was the matter,
and perceived u})on the ground an old hat, turned
up, with a rosary of great beads in it ; at the same
time heard a lamentable voice pronounce these
words: — " INIr. Traveller, for God's sake, have
pity on a poor maimed soldier; drop, if you please,
a few bits into the hat, and von shall be rewarded

O GIL BLAS.

in heaven."— I turned myeyesimraediatelj on the
side from whence the voice issued, and saw, at the
root of a bush, about twenty or thirty paces from
me, a kind of soldier, who upon two cross sticks,
supported the barrel of a carbine, in my apprehen-
sion longer than a pike, with which he seemed to
take aim at me: at this apparition, which made
me quake for the church's money, I stopped short,
and, pocketing my ducats in a great hurry, took
out some rials, approaching the hat, that was ex-
posed for the reception of extorted charity, and
dropped them into it, one after anc 'her, that the
beggar might see how nobly I used him. — He
was satisfied with my bounty, and gave rae a
benediction for every kick that I bestowed on the
sides of my mule, in order to get out of his reach ;
but the plaguy beast, regardless of my impatience,
moved not a step the faster, having lost the power
of galloping, by a long habit of carrying my uncle
at his own leisure.

I did not look upon this adventure as a very
favourable omen for my journey ; I considered that
I might meet with something still worse before I
should arrive at Salamanca ; and could not help
blaming my uncle's imprudence, for having ne-
glected to put me under the direction of a carrier.
This, to be sure, was what he ought to have done,
but he imagined that, by giving me his mule, my
journey would be the less expensive ; and he had
more regard to that consideration, than to the

GIL BLAS. 7

dangers I might be exposed to on tlie road. — In
order therefore to repair his mismanagement, I de-
termined (as soon as I should arrive at Pennaflor)
to sell the mule, and take the opportunity of a
carrier for Astorga, from whence I could transport
myself to Salamanca by the same convenience;
for, although I had never been out of Oyiedo, I
was not ignorant of the nimes of the towns through
which I must pass, having informed myself of these
things before I set out.

I arrived in safety at Pennaflor, and, halting at
the gate of an inn that made a tolerable appearance,
I no sooner alighted than the landlord came out,
and received me with great civility ; he untied my
portmanteau with his own hands, and, throwing
it on his shoulder, conducted me into a room,
while one of his servants led my mule into the
stable. — This inn-keeper, the greatest talker of the
Asturias, and as ready to relate Iiis own aifairs,
without being asked, as to pry into those of another,
told me that his name was Andrew Corcuelo ;
that he had served many years in the king's arniy,
in quality of a serjeant ; and had quitted the ser-
vice fifteen months ago, to marry a damsel of
Castropol, who (though she was a little swarthy)
knew very well how to turn the penny. He said
a thousand other things, which I could have dis-
pensed with the hearing of, but after having made
me his confidant, he thought he had a right to
exact the same condescension from me : and accord-

8 GIL KLAS.

inglj asked whence I came, whither I was goiDg-,
and what I was. — I was obliged to answer, article
by article, because he accompanied every question
with a profound bow, and begged me to excuse
his curiosity with such a respectful air, that I
could not refuse to satisfy him in every particular.
— This engaged me in a long conversation with
him, and gave me occasion to mention my design^
and the reasons I had for disposing of my mule,
that I might take the opportunity of a carrier. —
He approved of my intention, though not in a
very succinct manner ; for he represented all the
troublesome accidents that might befal me on the
road, he recounted many dismal stories of travel-
lers, and I was afraid he would never have done :
he concluded at length, however, telHng me, that
if I had a mind to sell my mule, he was acquainted
with a very honest jockey who would buy her. 1
assured him he would oblige me in sending for
him ; upon which he went in quest of him imme-
diately with great eagerness. — It was not long
before he returned with his man, whom he intro-
duced to me as a person of exceeding honesty, and
we went into the yard altogether, where my mule
was produced, and passed and repassed before the
jockey, who examined her from head to foot, and
did not fail to speak very disadvantageously of
her. I own there was not much to be said in her
praise ; but, however, had it been the Pope's mule,
he would have found some defect in her. He

GIL BLA9. 5f

assured me, that she had all the faults a mule
could have ; and, to convince me of his veracity,
appealed to the landlord, who, doubtless, had his
reasons for supporting his friend's assertions. —
" Well (said this dealer with an air of indifference)
how much money do you expect for .this wretched
animal ?" After the eulogium he had bestowed on
her, and the attestation of Signor Corcuelo, whom
I believed to be a man of honesty and understand-
ing, I would have given my mule for nothing ;
and therefore told him I would rely on his inte-
grity ; bidding him appraise the beast in his own
conscience, and I would stand to the valuation.
Upon this he assumed the man of honour, and
replied, that in engaging his conscience I took him
on the weak side : in good sooth, that did not
seem to be his strong side : for instead of valuing
her at ten or twelve pistoles, as my uncle had done,
he fixed the price at three ducats, which I accepted
with as much joy as if I had made an excellent
bargain.

After having so advantageously disposed of my
mule, the landlord conducted me to a carrier, who
was to set out the next day for Astorga. — This
muleteer let me know, that he would depart before
day-break, and promised to wake me in time, after
we had agreed upon the price, as well for the hire
of a mule as for my board on the road ; and when
every thing was settled between us, I returned to
the inn with Corcuelo, who, by the way, began to

10 GJL BLAS.

recount the carrier's history ; he told me every
circumstance of his character in town, and, in
short, was going to stupify me again with his
intolerable loquacity, when, luckily for me, a man
of a pretty good appearance prevented my misfor-
tune, by accosting him with great civility. — I
left them together, and went on, without sus-
pecting that I had the least concern in their con-
versation.

When I arrived at the inn I called for supper,
and, it being a meagre day, was fain to put up
with eggs ; which while they got ready, I made
up to my landlady, whom I had not seen before ;
she appeared handsome enough, and withal so
sprightly and gay, that I should have concluded
(even if her husband had not told me so) that her
house was pretty well frequented. — -When the
omelet I had bespoke was ready, I sat down to
table by myself; and had not yet swallowed the
first morsel when the landlord came in, followed
by the man who had stopped him in the street.
This cavalier, who wore a long sword, and seemed
to be about thirty years of age, advanced towards
me with an eager air, saying, " Mr. Student, I
am informed that you are that Signor Gil Bias de
Santillane, who is the link of philosophy^ and
ornament of Oviedo ! Is it possible that you are
that mirror of learning, that sublime genius, whose
reputation is so great in this country ? — You
know not (continued he, addressing himself to the

GIL BLAS. 1 I

inn-keeper and his wife) you know not what you
possess ! You have a treasure in your house ! Be-
hold, in this young gentleman, the eighth wonder
of the world !" Then turning to me, and throwing
his arras about my neck, " Forgive (cried he) my
transports ! I cannot contain the joy that your
presence creates !"

I could not answer for some time, because he
locked me so close in his arms, that I was almost
suffocated for want of breath : and it was not till
I had disengaged my head from his embrace, that
I replied; " Signor Cavalier, I did not think my
name was known at Pennaflor." — *' How ! known
(resumed he in his former strain) we keep a regis-
ter of all the celebrated names within twenty
leagues of us : — you, in particular, are looked
upon as a prodig-y, and I don't at all doubt that
Spain will one day be as proud of you, as Greece
was of her seven sages." These words were fol-
lowed by a fresh hug, which 1 was enforced to
"endure, though at the risk of strangulation. With
the little experience I had, I ought not to have
been the dupe of his professions and hyperbolical
compliments: I ought to have known by his
extravagant flattery, that he was one of those
parasites which abound in every town, and who,
when a stranger arrives, introduce themselves to
him, in order to fill their bellies at his expense :
but my youth and vanity made me judge quite
otherwise : my admirer appeared to rae so much of

12 GIL BLAS

a gentleriKin^ that I invited him to take a share of
my supper : — " Ah ! with all my soul (cried he)
I am too much obliged to my kind stars for having
thrown me in the way of the illustrious Gil Blas^
not to enjoy my good fortune as long as I can ! I
have no great appetite (pursued he) but I will sit
down to bear you company^ and eat a mouthful,
purely out of complaisance."

So saying, my panegyrist took his place right
over-against me, and, a cover being laid for him,
attacked the omelet as voraciously as if he had
fasted three whole days : by his complaisant be-
ginning I foresaw that our dish would not last
long, and therefore ordered a second ; which they
dressed with such dispatch, that it was served just
as we — or rather he — had made an end of the
first. — He proceeded on this with the same vigour,
and found means, without losing one stroke of his
teeth, to overwhelm me with praises during the
whole repast, which made me very well pleased
with my sweet self. — He drank in proportion to
his eating; sometimes to my health, sometimes to
that of my father and mother, whose happiness in
having such a son as me he could not enough
admire. — In the mean time he plied me with wine,
and insisted upon my doing him justice, while I
toasted health for health ; a circumstance which,
together with his intoxicating flattery, put me into
such good humour, that seeing our second omelet
half devoured, I asked the landlord if he had any

Ult. BLAS.

13

lish in the house. Signer Corcuelo^ who, in all
likelihood, had a fellow-feeling with the parasite,
replied, '' I have a delicate trout, but those who
eat it must pay for the sauce : — 'tis a bit too
dainty for your palate, I doubt." " What do you
call too dainty ? (said the sycophant, raising his
voice) you're a wiseacre, indeed ! Know that there
is nothing in this house too good for Signor Gil
Bias de Santillane, who deserves to be entertained
like a prince."

I was pleased at his laying hold of the landlord's
last words, in which he prevented me, who finding
myself offended, said with an air of disdain, *' Pro-
duce this trout of yours, gafter Corcuelo, and give
yourself no trouble about the consequence." — This
was what the inn-keeper wanted : he got it ready,
and served it up in a trice. At sight of this new
dish I could perceive the parasite's eyes sparkle
with joy; and he renewed that complaisance — I
mean for the fish — which he had already shewn
for the eggs. At last, however, he was obliged
to ^ve out, for fear of accident, being crammed to
the very throat : having therefore eaten and drank
his bellyful, he thought proper to conclude the
farce by rising from table, and accosting me in
these words :—'' Signor Gil Bias, 1 am too well
satisfied with your good cheer to leave you, with-
out offering an important advice, which you ^eem
to have great occasion for : henceforth beware of
praise, and be upon your guard against every body

14

GIL BLAS.

you do not know. You may meet with other
people indined to divert themselves with your cre-
dulity, and perhaps to push things still farther ;
but don't be duped again, nor believe yourself
(though they should swear it) the eighth wonder
of the world." — So saying, he laughed in my face,
and stalked away. I was as much affected by
this bite as I have since been by misfortunes of far
greater consequence. — I could not forgive myself
for having been so grossly imposed upon ; or
rather, I was shocked to find my pride so humbled:
'' How ! (said I to myself) has the traitor then
made a jest of me ? His design in accosting my
landlord in the street was only to pump him : or
perhaps they understand one another ! Ah ! simple
Gil Bias ! Go hang thyself for shame, for having
given such rascals an opportunity of turning thee
into ridicule ! I suppose they will trump up a fine
story of this affair, which will reach Oviedo, and
doubtless do thee a great deal of honour ; and
make thy parents repent their having thrown away
so much good council on an ass : instead of ex-
horting me not to wrong any body, they ought to
have cautioned me against the knavery of the
world !" Chagrined with these mortifying reflec-
tions, and inflamed with resentment, I locked
myself in my chamber, and went to bed, where,
however, I did not sleep ; for, before I could close
my eyes, the carrier came to let me know that he
was ready to set out, and only waited for me : I

GIL ULAS, 15

got up instantly, and wliile I put on my clothes
Corcuelo brought me a bill, in which, I assure
you, the trout was not forgotten ; and I was not
only obliged to gratify his exorbitance, but I had
also the mortification to perceive, while I counted
the money, that the sarcastic knave remembered
my adventure. After having paid sauce for a
supper, which I had so ill digested, I went to the
muleteer with my bags, wishing the parasite, the
inn-keeper, and his inn, at the devil.

CHAP. III.

Of the carrier's temptation on the road, a?id its
consequence. Hoiv Gil Bias, in attempting to
to get out of the frying-pan, fell into the fire.

I WAS not the only person who travelled with the
carrier, there being in company two children be-
longing to a gentleman at Pennaflor; a little
strolling ballad-singer of Mondonedo; and ayoung
tradesman of Astorga, who was bringing home a
girl whom he had married at Verco. We became
acquainted with one another presently, and every
one, iu a very short time, told whence he came,
and whither he was going. — The new married
lady was so stupid and tawny, that I had no great

16 GIL BLAS.

pleasure in looking at her ; but her youth and
plumpness had a different eifect upon the carrier,
who resolved to make an attempt upon her incli-
nations : he spent the whole day in projecting this
noble design, the execution of which he deferred
until we should arrive at our last stage, which
happened to be at Cacabelos. He accordingly
made us alight at the first inn we came to, a house
situated rather in the country than the town> the
landlord of which he knew to be a complaisant
and discreet person. He took care to have us
conducted into a remote apartment, where he
allowed us to sup in tranquillity ; but when our
meal was ended, he entered with a furious look,
crying, " Blood and oons ! I am robbed of one
hundred pistoles, which I had in a leathern bag,
and I must find them immediately ; otherwise I
will apply to the magistrate of the place, who is
no joker in these matters, and have you all put to
the rack, till such time as you confess the crime
and restore the money." Having pronounced
these dreadful words with a very natural air, he
went out, leaving us all in the utmost conster-
nation.

As we were strangers to each other, none of us
had the least suspicion of the finesse ; for my own
part, I suspected that the poor ballad-singer had
done the deed; and perhaps he had the same
opinion of me. Besides, we were all raw fools,
utterly ignorant of the formalities used in such

I

GIL BLAS. 17

cases, and believed in good earnest, (hat the process
would be begun hy putting us all to torture. —
Giving way therefore to our fear, we evacuated
the room in a great hurry, some running into the
street, others flying into the garden, and every
one betaking himself to his heels for safety.
Among the rest the young tradesman of Astorga,
as rauch scared as any of us at the thoughts of the
torture, made his escape, like another JEneas,
without incommoding himself with his wife. — It
wai then that the carrier (as I have since learned),
more incontinent than his mules, and overjoyed to
see his stratagem succeed according to his expecta-
tion, went to the bride, boasted of his own inge-
nuity, and endeavoured to profit by the occasion :
— but this Lucrece of the Asturias, to whom the
villainous aspect of her temper lent new strength,
made a vigorous resistance, and screamed most
powerfully. The patrole, which happened at that
instant to pass by the house, that they knew de-
served their attention, went in and demanded the
reasons of those cries : upon which the landlord,
who sat singing in the kitchen, and pretended to
know nothing of the matter, was obliged to con-
duct the officer and his guard into the chamber of
the person who made the noise. — They arrived
very seasonably, the chaste Asturian being quite
exhausted ; and the commander (who was none of
the most delicate peopled in (he world) perceivipg
what was the matter, gave the amorous muleteer
VOL. I. c

18 GIL BLAS.

a wooden salutation with the handle of his halbert,
addressing him at the same time in terms as incon-
sistent with modesty as the action that suggested
them. — This was not all : he apprehended the
criminal, and carried him before the judge, toge-
ther with his accuser ; who, notwithstanding her
disorder, would have gone of herself to crave
justice for the outrage that was committed upon
her. The magistrate having heard, and atten-
tively considered the cause, found the defendant
guilty, caused him to be stripped and scourged in
his presence ; and ordered that if the husband of
the plantiff should not appear before next day, she
should be escorted to'Astorga by two horsemen, at
the charge of the delinquent.

As for me, more terrified, perhaps, than the
rest, I got into the country, and crossing, I don't
know how many fields and heaths, and leaping all
the ditches I found in my way, I arrived at last
at the side of a wood, and was just going into it,
with a view of concealing myself in some thicket,
when, all of a sudden, two men on horseback ap-
peared before me, and called, " Who goes there ?"
As my surprise hindered me from making imme-
diate answer, they advanced, and each clapping a
pistol to my throat, commanded me to tell who I
was, whence I came, my business in that forest,
and above all things, to hide nothing from them.
-—To these interrogations, the manner of which
seemed to mc equal to the rack with which the

GIL BLAS. 19

carrier had threatened us, I replied, that I was a lad
of Oviedo, going to Salamanca ; recounted the
alarm we had uiidergonc, and confessed, that the
fear of being put to the torture had induced me to
run away. — They burst out into a loud laugh at
this discovery, which manifested the simplicity of
my heart ; and one of them said, " Take courage,
friend ; come along with us, and fear nothing :
we will put thee in a place of safety." So saying,
he made me get up behind him, and then we re-
treated into the wood.

Though I did not know what to make of this
rencounter, I did not presage any thing bad from
it ; for (said I to myself) if these people were
thieves, they would have robbed, and perhaps
murdered me, at once : they must certainly be
honest gentlemen, who live hard by, and who,
seeing me in a panic, have pity on my condition,
and carry me home with them out of charity. —
But 1 did not long remain in suspense ; for, after
several windings and turnings, which we performed
in great silence, we came to the foot of a hill,
where we alighted ; and one of the horsemen said
to me, " This is our dwelling-place." I looked
around, but could perceive neither house, hut, nor
the least appearance of any habitation : neverthe-
less these two men lifted up a huge wooden trap-
door, covered with earth and brambles, which
concealed the entrance of a long shelving passage
under ground, into which the horses went of them-

20 GIL BLAS.

selves, like beasts that were used to it ; while the
cavaliers, taking the same path, made me follow
them : then lowering the cover, with cords fas-
tened to the inside for that purpose, behold the
worthy kinsman of my uncle Peres, caught like a
mouse in a trap.

CHAP. IV.

A description of the stihterranean habitation, and
of what Gil Bias observed therein.

M. NOW discovered my situation, and any one may
easily believe that this discovery effectually dis-
pelled my former fear : a terror more mighty and
better founded took possession of my soul ! I laid
my account with losing my life as well as ray
ducats ; and looking upon myself as a victim led
to the altar, walked (more dead than alive) be-
tween my two conductors, who, feeling me tremble,
exhorted me in vain to fear nothing. — When we
had gone about two hundred paces, turning and
descending all the way, we entered into a stable,
lighted by two great iron lamps, hanging from
the arch above. Here I saw plenty of straw, and
a good many casks full of provender: there was
room enough for twenty horses : but at that time
there were only the two that we brought along

GIL BLA§.

21

Tvith us, which an old negro, who seemed vigorous
for his years, was tying to a rack. — We went out
of the stable, and by the dismal glimmer of some
lamps, that seemed to enlighten the place, only to
shew the horrors of it, came to a kitchen, where
an old cook-maid was busy in broiling steaks, and
providing for supper. — The kitchen was adorned
with all necessary utensils, and hard by there was
a larder stored with all sorts of provisions. — The
cook (for I must draw her picture) was a person
somewhat turned of sixty : in her youth the hair
of her head had been red as a carrot ; for time had
not as yet so much bleached it, but that one might
still perceive some shades of its primitive colour :
she had an olive complexion, a chin pointed and
prominent, with lips fallen in, a huge aquiline nose
that hung over her mouth, and eyes that flamed in
purple.

" Well, dame Leonarda (said one of the gentle-
men, presenting me to this fair angel of darkness)
here's a young man we have brought for you."
Then turning to me, and observing me pale and
dismayed, " Friend (said he) banish thy fear ; we
will do thee no harm. — Having occasion for a ser-
vant to assist our cook-maid, we met with thee,
and happy is it for thee we did : thou shalt here
supply the place of a young fellow, who let him-
self die about fifteen days ago : he was a lad of a
very delicate complexion ; but thou seemest to be
more robust, and wilt not die so soon : indeed thou

22 GIL BLA3.

wilt never see the light of the sun again ; but in
lieu of that, thou shalt have good cheer, and a
rousing fire : thou shalt pass thy time with Leo-
narda, who is a v-ry gentle creature, and enjoy all
thy little cojiveniences. I will shew thee (added
he) that thou hast not got anioug beggars." With
these words he took up a flambeau, and, bidding
me follow him, carried me into a cellar, where I
saw an infinite number of bottles and jars well
corked, which (he told me) were filled with excel-
lent wine. He afterwards made me pass through
divers apartments, some of which contained bales
of linen, others of silks and stuffs : in one I per-
ceived gold and silver, and a great quantity of
plate in different cupboards. — Then I followed him
into a lari>e hall illuminated by three branches of
copper, which also gave light to the rooms that
communicated with it : here he put fresh questions
to me ," asked my name and reason for leaving
Oviido ; and when I had satisfied his curiosity in
tliese particulars, " Well, Gil Bias, (said he) since
thy design in quitting the place of thy nativity was
to oblain some good post, thou must certainly have
been born with a caul upon thy head ; because
thou hast fallen into our hands. — I have already
told thee that thou shalt live here in affluence and
roll upon gold and silver : nay more, thou shalt be
safe ; for such is the contrivance of this retreat,
that the officers of the holy brotherhood may come
into the wood a hundred times without discover-

GIL BLA3. 23

ing it. The entry is unknown to every living soul,
except me and my comrades : perhaps thou wilt
wonder how it could be executed without being
perceived by the people in the neighbourhood !
Know then^ my lad, that this is not a work of our
hands, but was made many years ago : for after
the Moors had got possession of Granada, Arragon,
and almost the whole of Spain, the Christians, ra-
ther than submit to the yoke of infidels, fled and
concealed themselves in this country, in Biscay,
and in the Asturias, whither the valiant Don Pela-
gic retired : fugitives, and dispersed in small num-
bers, they lived in mountains and woods ; some
lurked in caves, and others contrived many subter-
ranean abodes, of which number this is one. Hav-
ing afterwards been so lucky as to drive their
enemies out of Spain, they returned into the towns;
and. since that time, their retreats have served for
asylums to people of our profession. 'Tis true, in-
deed, the holy brotherhood* have discovered and
destroyed some of them ; but there are still plenty
remaining ; and (thank heaven) I have lived here
in safety near fifteen years. My name is Captain
Rolando : I am the chief of the company, and he
whom thou sawest with me is one of my gang."

* The holy brotherhood in Sj)ain, called Santa Hcrmandad,
was formerly an association to suppress robbers in times of
civil commotion ; and at this day is an cstabli>hment kept up
through all the kin;^doms and provinces of Spain, for the
same purpose.

S4

61L BLAS.

CHAP. V.

Of the arrival of more thieves in the subterranean
habitation, and the agreeaJ)le conversation that

happened among them.

^iGNOR Rolando had scarce done speaking,
when six new faces appeared in the hall ; these
were the licuienant with five of the company, who
returned loaded with booty, which consisted of two
hampers full of sugar, cinnamon, pepper, dried
figs, almonds, and raisins ; the lieutenant, address-
ing himself to the captain, told him, that he had
taken these hanipers from a grocer of Benavento,
whose mule he had also carried off. When he
had given an account of his expedition to his supe-
rior, the pillage of the grocer was ordered into the
store, and it was unanimously agreed to make
merry. A table being covered in the great hall, I
"was sent back into the kitchen, where dame Leo-
nardo instructed me in the nature of my office ;
and, yielding to necessity (since my cruel fate had
so ordained) I suppressed my sorrow, and prepared
myself for the service of those worthy gentlemen.
My first essay was on the side-board, which I
adorjicd with silver cups, and many stone-bottles of
that good wine which Signor Rolando had praised
80 much. I afterwards brought in two ragouts.

GIL BLAS. 35

which were no sooner served, than the whole com-
pany sat down to eat. They began with a good
appetite, while I stood behind, ready to supply
them with wine; and acquitted myself so hand-
somely, that I had the hontuir to be complimented
upon my behaviour. The captain recounted my
story in a few words, which afforded a good deal
of diversion, and afterwards observed that I did
not want merit : but I was at that time cured of
my vanity, and could hear myself praised without
danger. Not one of them was silent on the sub-
ject ; they said I seemed born to be their cup-
bearer ; that I was worth a hundred of my pre-
decessor ; and although dame Leonarda (since his
death) had been honoured with the office of pre-
senting nectar to those infernal gods, they deprived
her of that glorious employment, with which they
invested me, like a young Ganymede succeeding
an ancient Hebe.

A great dish of roast meat, served up after the
ragouts, finished the repast of those gormandizing
thieves, who drinking in proportion to their glut-
tony, soon became frolicksome, made a hellish
noise, and spoke altogether : one began a story,
another broke a jest, a third shouted, a fourth
sung : so that there was nothing but riot and con-
fusion ! At length Rolando, tired of a scene in
which he was so little regardeu, called (with a
Toice that silenced the whole company) " Gentle-
men, I have a proposal to make : instead of stun-

26 GIL BLA3.

ning one another in this manner, by speaking all
together, would it not be better to entertain our-
selves like reasonable creatures ? There is a thought
come into my head : since the time of our associa-
tion, we have never had the curiosity to know what
families we are derived from, and by what train of
adventures we have been severally led to embrace
this way of life : as these things seem worthy to
be known, let us, for our diversion, communicate
them to one another." The lieutenant, and the
rest, as if they had something very entertaining to
relate, enjbraced, with great demonstrations of joy,
the proposal of their chief, who began his own
history in these words : —

*' Gentlemen, you must know that I am the only
son of a rich citizen of Madrid : the day of my
birth was celebrated in the family by vast rejoic-
ings ; my father, pretty well stricken in years, was
ravished at sight of an heir, and my mother under-
took to suckle me at her own breasts : her father,
who was still alive, was a good old man, who
meddled with nothing but his beads, and recounted
his own warlike exploits, having been many years
in tlie army ; so that becoming insensibly the idol
of these three persons, I was incessantly dandled in
their arms. Lest study should fatigue me in my
tender years, I was allowed to spend them in the
most childish amusenients ; my father observing
that children ought not to apply seriously to any
thing, until time should have ripened the under-

GIL BLAB. 27

standing. In expectation of this maturity, I nei-
ther learned to read nor write, but nevertheless,
made good use of my time : for my father taught
me a thousand dilTerent games. I became perfectly
acquainted \vi(h cards, wris no stranger to dice ;
and my grandfather filled my head with romantic
stories of the military expeditions in which he had
been concerned. He sung the same catches over
and over, and when I had got ten or twelve lines
by heart, by dint of hearing them repeated for
three months together, my memory became a sub-
ject for admiration to my parents, who seemed no
less satisfied with my genius. When, profiting by
the liberty I enjoyed of speaking what came upper-
most, I used to interrupt their discourse with my
nonsensical prattle — " Ah ! what a charming crea-
ture it is !" (would my father cry, looking at me
with inexpressible delight) while my mamma over-
whelmed me with caresses, and my old grand-
sire wept with joy. I committed, in their presence,
the most indecent actions with impunity : every
thing was forgiven ; and in short, they adored me.
In the mean time, having attained my twelfth year,
without being put to school, a master was at
length provided : but he received precise orders
to instruct me without using any violence, being
only per nutted to threaten me sometimes, with a
view of inspiring me with awe. This permission
had not the most salutary effects upon me, who
either laughed at his menaces, or, with tears in my

28 OIL BLAS.

eyes, went and complained to my mother and
grand-papa of his barbarity. It was in vain for
the poor devil to deny the accusation : he was
looked upon as a tyrant, and my assertion always
believedj in spite of his remonstrance. I happened
one day to scratch myself, upon which, setting up
my pipes, as if he had flayed me, my mother came
,.unning in, and turned my master out of doors,
though he protested and took heaven to witness,
that he had never touched my skin

In the same manner I got rid of all my precep-
tors, until such an one as I wanted presented him-
self; this was a bachelor of Alcala ; an excellent
tutor for a person of fashion's child ! he was a
lover of play, women, and wine, consequently the
fittest person in the world for me. The first thing
he set about was to gain my affection, in which he
succeeded, and by these means, gained the love of
my parents, who left me entirely to his manage-
meiit : indeed, they had no cause to repent of their
confidence ; for, in a very little time he made me
perfect in the knowledge of the world. By dint of
carrying me along with him to the places he fre-
quented, I imbibed his taste so well, that, except
in Latin, I became an universal proficient; and
when I found I had no further occasion for his
instructions, he went to offer them elsewhere.

If during my childhood I had lived pretty freely,
it was quite another thing when I became master
of wy own actionni : I every moment ridiculed my

GIL BLAS. 29

parents, who did nothing hut laugh at my saUies,
which were the more agreeable, the more insolence
they contained. INIean while I committed all kinds
of debauchery, in the company of other young men
of the same disposition ; and as our parents did
not supply us with money sufficient to support such
a delicious life, every one pilfered what he could,
at his own home ; but that being also insufficient,
we began to rob in the dark ; when, unfortunately,
the corregidor got notice of us, and would have
caused us to be apprehended, had we not been in-
formed of his treacherous design. Upon which
we consulted our safety in flight, and transferred
the scene of our exploits to the highway. Since
which time, gentlemen, God has given me grace to
grow old in my profession, in spite of the dangers
to which it is exposed."

Here the captain left off speaking, and the lieu-
tenant, taking his turn, began with, — "Gentlemen,
an education quite opposite to that of Signor Ro-
lando has, nevertheless, produced the same effect.
My father was a butcher of Toledo, reckoned the
greatest brute in the whole city, and my mother's
disposition not much more gentle. While I was a
child, they whipped me, as if it had been through
emulation, at the rate of a thousand stripes a day :
the least fault I committed was attended with the
most severe chastisement ; and it was in vain for
me to ask pardon, with tears in my eyes, and pro-
test that I was sorry for what I liad done ; far

30 GIL BLAS.

from being- forgiven, I was often punished without
a cause : while my father belaboured me, my mo-
ther (as if he had not exerted himself) instead of
interceding for her child, frequently came to his
assistance. This treatment inspired me with such
aversion for my paternal habitation, that I ran
away before I had attained my fourteenth year,
and taking the road of Arragon, went to Saragossa,
subsisting on charity by the way. There I con-
sorted with beggars, who led a pretty comfortable
life ; they taught me to counterfeit blindness, to
appear lame, and afflict my limbs with fictitious
ulcers, &c. In the morning (like players, who
disguise themselves in order to appear upon the
stage) we prepared ourselves for the different parts
we intended to act, and every one ran to his post :
in the evening we met again, and enjoyed ourselves
all night at the expense of those who had compas-
sion on us in the day. Tired, however, of living
among those wretches, and ambitious of appearing
in a higher sphere, I associated myself with some
knights of the post, who taught me a great many
stratagems; but we were, in a very short time,
obliged to quit Saragossa, having quarrelled with
a certain justice, whose protection we had enjoyed.
Every one took his own course : for my own part,
I engaged myself in a company of brave fellows
who put travellers under contribution, and liked
their manner of living so well, that hitherto, I have
never felt the least inclination to seek another ; I

GIL BL4S. 31

am therefore, gentlemen, very much obliged to the
barbarity of my parents ; for, had they treated me
a little less savagely, instead of being an honour-
able lieutenant, I should have been doubtless at
this day a miserable butcher."

The next that spoke was a young thief, who,
sitting between the captain and lieutenant, said,
" Grentlcmcn, the stories we have heard, are nei-
ther so complicated, nor so curious as mine. I
ovf e my being to a peasant's wife, who lived in the
neighbourhood of Seville. Three weeks after she
had brought me into the world (being still young,
handsome, and healthy) it was proposed to her, to
nurse a man of quality's only son lately born in
Seville. This proposal my mother cheerfully ac-
cepted, and went to fetch the child, which being
committed to her care, she no sooner brought it
home to her house, than perceiving some small
resemblance between us, she was tempted to make
me pass for the infant of quality, in hopes that she
should one day be well rewarded by me, for that
kind office: My father, who was not more scrupu-
lous than his neighbours, approved of the deceit ;
so that after having made us exchange our swad-
dling clothes, the son of Don Rodrigo de Herrera
was sent to another nurse under my name, and my
mother suckled me under his.

" Notwithstanding all the fine things that are
said of instinct and the force of blood, the little
gentleman's parents swallowed the change with

32 GIL BLAS.

great ease : they had not the least suspicion of the
trick that was played upon them ; for, till I was
seven years old, I was scarce ever out of their arms.
Their intention being to make me a complete cava-
lier, all sorts of masters were provided ; but I had
no great inclination for the exercises I learned ;
and still less relish for the sciences they explained :
I loved much better to game with the servants, for
whose company I frequented the kitchen and sta-
ble : but play was not long my predominant pas-
sion ; for before I was seventeen years of age^ I got
drunk daily, seduced all the women in the house,
but attached myself chiefly to the cookraaid, who
seemed to merit my principal regard : she was a
fat jolly wench, whose pleasantry and sleekness
pleased nie much ; and I made love to her with
so little circumspection, that Don Rodrigo himself
perceived it. He reprimanded me sharply, re-
proached me with the baseness of my inclinations,
and, lest the sight of this amiable object should
render his remonstrances inefftjctual, turned my
princess out of doors.

^* I was disgusted at this piece of conduct, for
which I resolved to be revenged : with this view,
I stole his lady's jewels, and running in quest of
my fair Helen, who had retired to the house of a
washerwoman of her acquaintance, I carried her
off, at noon-day, to the end that nobody might be
ignorant of my passion. That was not all : I con-
ducted her into her own country, where I married

GIL BLAS.

33

her in a solemn manner, that I might not only give
Herrera the more vexation, but also allbrd such
a worthy example to the children of noblemen.
Three months after my marriage, I was informed
of Don Rodrigo's death ; a piece of news I did
not receive with indifierence ; but repairing in-
stantly to Seville, in order to demand his estate, I
found things strangely altered! My mother, who
was dead, had been silly enough, on her death-bed,
to confess the whole afl'air, in presence of the
curate of the village, and other credible witnesses;
in consequence of which, the true son of Don Ro-
drigo was already in possession of my place, or
rather of his own ; and had been received with the
more joy, on account of their being dissatisfied
with me. Wherefore, having nothing to expect
from that quarter, and no longer feeling inclination
for my fat spouse, I joined some gentlemen of the
road, with whom I began my expeditions."

The young robber having ended his story, an-
other informed us, — " That he was the son of a
merchant at Burgos, and. prompted by an indis-
creet devotion, had taken the habit and professed
a very austere order, from which, in a few years,
be apostatised." In short, these eight highway-
men spoke in their turns, and when I had heard
them all, I was not at all surprised to find them
together. The discourse was afterwards clianged ;
they brought upon the carpet several projects for
the next excursion : and after iiaviug come to a

VOL. 1. D

54

GIL BLAS.

determination, got up from table, in order to go
to rest. Having lighted their wax candles, and
withdrawn, I followed Captain Rolando into his
chamber, where while I helped to undress him,
" Well, Gil Bias (said he) thou seest how we live:
we are alwajs merry, and hatred and envy never
get footing among us : we never have the least
quarrel with one another, but are more united than
a convent of monks : thou wilt, my child (pursued
he), lead a very agreeable life in this place; for I
don't believe thee fool enough to boggle at living
with robbers. Eh ! dost thou think there are any
honester people in the world than we ? no, my
lad, every one loves to prey upon his fellows ; it
is an universal principle, though variously exerted :
conquerors (for example) seize upon the territories
of their neighbours, people of quality borrow with-
out any intention of repaying ; bankers^ treasurers,
exchange-brokers, clerks, and all kinds of mer-
chants, great and small, are not a whit more con-
scientious. As for your limbs of the law, I need
not mention thern ; every body knows what they
can do. I must own, however, that they are some-
what more hunjane than we: for we often put in-
nocent people to death, and thfv sometimes save
the lives of the guilty."

GIL BLAS.

CHAP. VI.

35

Of the attempt of Gil BlaJi to make his escape,
and the success thereof.

>T HEN the captain of the thieves had made his
apology Tor his profession, he went to bed ; and I
returned into the hall, where I uncovered the table,
and put every thing in order ; from thence I went
into the kitchen, where Domingo (so Mas the old
negro called) expected me to supper. Though I
had no appetite, I sat down with them ; but as I
could not eat, and appeared as melancholy as I had
cause to be so, these two apparitions, equally qua-
lified, undertook to give me consolation : — '' ^*Vhy
do you afflict yourself, child? (said the old lady) :
you ought rather to rejoice at your good fortune.
— You are young, and seem to be of an easy tem-
per ; consequently would have been, in a little
time, lost in the world : there you would have
fallen into the hands of libertines, who would have
engaged you in all manner of debauchery : where-
as here your innocence finds a secure haven." —
" Dame Leonarda is in the right (said the old
black-a-moor with great gravity), and let me add,
the world is full of affliction : thank heaven, there-
fore, my friend, for having delivered thee all at
once from the dangers, difficulties, and misery of
life."

36

GIL BLAS.

I bore their discourse with patience, because to
fret myself would have done me no service: at
last Domingo, having eaten and drank plentifully,
retired into the stable; while Leonarda, with a
lamp in her hand, conducted me into a vault,
which served as a burying-place to the robbers
who died a natural death, and in which I perceived
a miserable truck-bed, that looked more like a
tomb than a couch : — *' Here is your bed-chamber
(said she) ; the lad, whose place you have the
good fortune to supply, slept here as long as he
lived among us ; and now that he is dead, rests in
the same place. — He slipt away in the flower of
his age : I hope you v^ill not be so simple as to
follow his example." So saying, she put the light
into my hand, and returned into her kitchen; while
I, setting the lamp upon the ground, threw myself
upon the bed, not so much in expectation of en-
joying the least repose, as with a view to indulge
my melancholy reflection. " O heavens (cried I),
was ever destiny so terrible as mine ! I am ba-
nished from the sight of the sun ; and, as if it was
not enough to be buried alive at the age of eight-
een, I am moreover condemned to serve thieves,
to spend the day among highwaymen, and the
night among the dead!" I wept bitterly over
these suggestions, which seemed to me — and were
in efl'ect, extremely shocking. A thousand times
I cursed my uncle's design of sending me to Sala-
Hianca : I repented of my flying from justice at

GIL BLA3.

37

Cacabelos, and even wished I had submitted to the
torture. — But recollecting that I consumed myself
in vain complaints, to no purpose, I began to
think of some means by which I might escape.
" \yhat ! (said I to myself) is it then impossible
to deliver myself! the tliieves are asleep, the cook-
maid and negro will be in the same condition pre-
sently : can't I, while they are all quiet, by the
help of my lamp, find out the passage through
which I descended to this infernal abode ? 'Tis
true, indeed, I don't think myself strong enough
to lift the trap-door that covers the entry ; but
however, that I may have nothing to reproach my-
self with, I will try: my despair will, perhaps,
supply me with strength, and who knows but I
may accomplish it ?"

Having then projected this great design, I got
up when I imagined Lednarda and Domingo were
at rest ; and taking the lamp in my hand, went out
of the vault, recommending myself to the saints in
heaven. — It was not without great difficulty that
I found again all the windings of this new laby-
rinth, and arrived at the door of the stable ; where,
at last, perceiving the passage 1 was in search of,
I went into it, advancing towards the trap with as
much iiimblencss as jov : — but, alas ! in the middle
of the entry 1 met with a cursid iron grate, fast
locked, and consisting of strong bars so close to
one another, that I could scarce thrust my hand
between them. 1 was confounded at the sight of

8S GIL BLAS.

this new obstacle, which I had not observed when
I came in, the grate being then open. I did not
fail, however, to feel the bars and examine the
lock, wliich I even attempted to force ; when, all
of a sudden, I felt across my shoulders five or six
hearty thwacks with a bull's pizzle ! upon which
I uttered such a dreadful yell, that the whole ca-
vern echoed with the sound ; and, looking behind
me, perceived the old negro in his shirt, with a
dark lantern in one hand, and the instrument of
his execution in the other. " Ah, ha ! Mr. Jacka-
napes (said he), you want to make your escape,
hah ? You must not imagine that I am to be
caught napping. — I heard you all the while. — I
suppose you thought the grate was open, didn't
you .? — Know, my boy, that henceforth thou shalt
always find it shut ; and that when we detain any
body here, against his inclination, he must be more
cunning than thou, if he ever get ofi*.''

In the mean time two or three of the thieves,
starting out of their sleep at the noise of my cries,
and believing that the holy brotherhood was com-
ing souse upon them, got up in a hurry, and
alarmed their companions. In an instant all were
a-foot, and, seizing their swords and carbines,
advanced half naked to the place where Domingo
chastised me ; but they no sooner understood the
cause of the noise they had heard, than their un-
easiness was changed into fits of laughter. — " How,
Gil Bias (said the apostate thief to me), thou hast

GIL BLAS. 39

not been here six hours^ and waiil'st to take thy
leave of us already ! sure thou must have a great
aversion to a retired life, hah ? What would'st
thou do if thou wert a Carthusian friar ? Go to
bed; thou art quit for once, on account of the
stripes Domingo has bestowed on thee ; but if ever
thou should'st make another effort to escape, by
St. Bartholomew ! we will flay thee alive." This
said, he withdrew ; the other thieves retired into
their apartments ; the old negro, proud of his ex-
ploit, returned into his stable, and I sneaked back
to ray Golgotha, where I spent the remaining part
of the night in sighs and tears.

CHAP. VII.

Of the behaviour of Gil Bias, when he could do
710 better.

During the first days of my captivity, I was like
to sink under the sorrow that oppressed mc, and
might have been said to die by inches ; but at last
my good genius inspired me with a resolution to dis-
semble. I affected to appear less sad than usual : I
began to laugh and sing, (hough God knows, with
an aching heart. In a word, I counterfeited so well,
that Leonarda and Domingo were deceived, and
believed that the bird was at last reconciled to his

40

GIL BLAS.

cage. — The robbers were of the same opinion ; for
I assumed a gay air when I filled wine for them,
and mingled in their conversation, whenever I
found an opportunity of acting the buffoon. This
freedom, far froii} displeasing, afforded them diver-
sion. '" Gi! Bias (said the captain to me one
evening, while I entertained them in this manner,)
thou hast done well, my lad, to banish thy melan-
choly : I an) charmed with thy wit and humour :
I find people are not known ail at once ; for I did
not think thou hadst been so sprightly and good-
natured."

The rest joined also in my praise, and appeared
so well satisfied with me, that, taking the advan-
tage of this good disposition, ''Gentlemen, (said I)
allow me to tell my mind : since my abode in this
place, I find myself quite another sort of a person
than heretofore. You have divested me of the
prejudices of education, and I insensibly imbibe
your disposition : I have a taste for your profes-
sion, and a longing desire of being honoured with
the name of your companion, and of sharing the
dangers of your expeditions." All the company
approved of my discourse, and commended my
forwardness ; so that it was unanimously resolved
to let me serve a little longer, in order to approve
myself worthy, then carry me out in their excur-
sions ; after which I should obtain the honourable
place I denianded.

Well, then, i was obliged to persist in my dis-

GIL BLAS. 41

simulation, and exercise the post of cup-bearer
still; a circumstance that mortified me extremely:
for my design in aspiring to the honour of becom-
ing a thief, Nvas only to have the liberty of taking
the air with the rest, in hopes that one day I should
be able to escape from them, in the course of their
expeditions. This hope alone supported my life ;
but nevertheless appeared so distant, that I tried
more than once to baffle the vigilance of Domingo;
though it was never in my power, he being always
so much upon his guard, that I would have defied
a hundred Orpheuses to charm such a Cerberus.
'Tis true, indeed, I did not do all that I could
have done to beguile him, lest I should have
awakened his suspicion ; for he had a hawk's eye
over me, and I was obliged to act with the utmost
circumspection, that 1 might not betray myself.
I therefore resigned myself to my fate, until the
time should be expired that was prescribed by the
robbers for receiving me into their gang ; and this
event I expected as impatiently as if 1 had been to
be enrolled in a list of commissioners.

Heaven be praised ! in six months that time
arrived ; when Signor Rolando, addressing hin)self
to his company, said, *' Gentlemen, we must keep
our words with Gil Bias: I have no bad opinion
of that young fellow, and I hope we shall make
something of him : it is therefore my opinion, that
we carry him along with us to-morrow to gather
laurels on the highway, and usher him into the

42 GIL BLAS.

path of glory." The robbers agreed to their cap-
tain's proposal ; and, to shew that they already
looked upou me as one of their companions, from
that moment dispensed with my service, and re-
established Dame Leonarda in the office she had
lost on my account. They made me throw away
my habit, which consisted of a sorry threadbare
short cassock, and dressed me in the spoils of a
gentleman whom they had lately robbed ; after
which, I prepared for my first campaign.

CHAP. VIII.

Gil Bias ftccompames the thieves, and performs

an exploit on the highway.
:\

It was in the month of September, when towards
the close of the night, I came out of the cavern
in company with the robbers, armed like them,
with a carbine, two pistols, sword, and bayonet,
and mounted on a pretty good horse, which they
had taken from the same gentleman whose dress I
wore. I had lived so long in darkness, that when
day broke, I was dazzled with the light, which
however soon became familiar to my eyes.

Having passed hard by Ponferrada, we lay in
ambush in a small wood which bordered on the
road to Leon. There wc waited, expecting that

GIL BLAS.

43

fortune would throw some good luck in our way,
when we perceived a Dominican (contrary to tlic
custom of these good fathers) riding upon a sorry
mule : " God be praised, (cried the captain laugh-
ing) there's the cuup d'essai of Gil Bias: — let him
go and unload that monk, while we observe liis
behaviour." — All the rest were of opinion that this
was a very proper conmiission for me, and ex-
horted me to acquit myself handsomely in it.
" Gentlemen, (said I) you shall be satisfied : I
will make that priest as bare as my hand, and
bring hither his mule in a twinkling." — " No,
no J (replied Rolando) she is not worth the trouble :
bring us only the purse of his reverence ; that is
all we expect of thee." For this purpose I sallied
from the wood, and made towards the clergymnrj,
begging heaven all the way to pardon the action
I was about to commit. I would gladly have
made my escape that moment ; but the greatest
part of the thieves were better mounted than I,
and, had they perceived me running away, would
have been at my heels in an instant, and entrapped
me again in a very short time, or perhaps dis-
charged their carbines at me, in which case I
should have had nothing to brag of. — Not daring,
therefore, to hazard such a delicate step, I came
up with the priest, and, clapping a pistol to his
breast, demanded his purse. He stopped short to
survey me, and without seeming much afraid,
" Child, (said he) you are very young : — you have

44 GIL BLAS.

got a bad trade by the hand, betimes." — " Bad as
it is, father, (I replied) I wish I had begun it
sooner." — '* Ah ! son, son, (said the good friar,
who did not comprehend the true meaning of ray
words) what blindness \ — allow me to represent to
jou the miserable condition"-—^' O father, (said I,
interrupting him hastily) a truce with your morals,
if you please : my business on the highway is not
to hear sermons ; I want money." — '' Money !
(cried he, with an air of astonishment) you are
little acquainted with the charity of the Spaniards,
if you think people of my cloth have occasion for
money while they travel in this kingdom. Undc-^
ceive yourself — we are every where cheerfully re-
ceived, have lodging and victuals, and nothing is
asked in return for our prayers : in short, we never
carry money about us on the road ; but confide
altogether in Providence." — '" That won't ^o
down with me (I replied) : your dependence is not
altoi^cthcr so visionary ; for you have always some
good pistoles in reserve, to make more sure of
Providence. But, my good father, (added I) let
us have done : my comrades, who are in that wood,
begin to be impatient ; therefore throw your purse
upon the ground instantly, or I shall certainly put
you to deatli."

At these words, which I uttered with a mena-
cing look, the friar, seeming afraid of his life, said,
" Hold ! I will satisfy you then, since there is a
netessKy for it :— I see tropes and figures have no

GIL BLAS.

45

effect on people of your profession. " So saying,
he pulled from underneath his p:o\vn a large purse
of shamoy leather, which he dropped upon the
ground. Then I told him he might continue his
journey; a permission he did not give me the
trouble of repeating; but clapped his heels to the
sides of his mule, which, belying the opinion I had
conceived of her (for I imagined slie was not much
better than my uncle's), all of a sudden went oft'
at a pretty round pace. As soon as he was at a
distance, I alighted, and taking up the purse,
which seemed heavy, mounted again, and got back
to the wood in a trice, where the thieves waited
with impatience to congratulate me upon ray vic-
tory.— Scarce would they give me time to dis-
mount^ so eager were they to embrace me : — '^ Cou-
rage, Gil Bias ! (said Rolando) thou hast done
wonders. — I have had my eyes on thee during thy
expedition : I have observed thy countenance all
the time, and I prophesy that thou wilt, in time,
become an excellent highwayman." The lieute-
nant and the reist approved the prediction, which
they assured me I should one day certainly fulfil.
I thanked them for the high idea they had con-
ceived of me, and promised to do all that lay in
my power to maintain it.

After they had loaded mc with so much unde-
served praise, they were desirous of examining the
booty I had made. " Come, (said they) let us
see what there is in the clergyman's purse." — " It

46

GIL BLAS.

ought to be well furnished (continued one among
them), for those good fathers don't travel like pil-
grims." The captain untied the purse, and, open-
ing it, pulled out two or three handfuls of copper
medals, mixed with bits of hallowed wax, and some
scapularies*. At the sight of such an uncommon
prey, all the robbers burst out into immoderate fits
of laughter. " Upon my soul, (cried the lieute-
nant) we are very much obliged to Gil Bias for
having, in his coup d'essai, performed a theft so
salutary to the company." This piece of wit
brought on more. Those miscreants, and he in
particular who had apostatised, began to be very
merry upon the matter : a thousand sallies escaped
them, that too well denoted their immorality. — I
was the only person that did not laugh, my mirth
being checked by the raiiers, who enjoyed them-
selves at my expense. Every one having shot his
bolt, the captain said to me, " In faith, Gil Bias,
I advise thee as a friend, to joke no more with
monks, who are, generally speaking, too arch and
tuiining for such as thee."

* Scapularies are piecrs of consecrated stuft) worn by
priests and nuns.

GIL BLAS.

47

CHAP. IX.

Of the serious affair that followed this adventure.

?▼ E remained in the wood Ihe greatest part of
the daj, without perceiving aiij traveller that could
make amends for the priest. At last we left it, in
order to return to our cavern, confining our ex-
ploits to that ludicrous event, which still consti-
tuted tlie subject of our discourse, when we disco-
vered at a distance a coach dra\\n bj four mules,
advancing* at a brisk trot, and escorted by three
men on horseback, who seemed well armed. Upon
this, Rolando ordered his troop to halt, and held
a council; the result of which was, that they
should attack the coach. We were immediately
arranged according to his disposition, and marched
up to it in order of battle. — In spite of the ap-
plause I had acquired \\\ the wood, I felt myself
seized with an universal tremor, and immediately
a cold sweat broke out all over my body, which I
looked upon as no very favourable omen, — To
crown my good luck, I was in the front of the
line, between the captain and lieutenant, who had
stationed me there, that I might accustom myself
to stand fire all at once. Rolando observing how
much nature suffered within me, looked at me
askance, saying, with a fierce countenance,
'' HarkVe, Gil Bias, remember to do thv diitv;

48 GIL BLAS.

for if thou hang'st an ass, I'll blow thy brains
out." I was too well persuaded that he would
keep his word to neglect this caufion; for which
reason, I thought of nothing now but of recom-
mending my soul to God.

In the mean time the coach and horsemen ap-
proached, who, knowing what sort of people we
were, and guessing our design by our appearance,
stopped within musket-shot, and prepared to re-
ceive us ; while a gentleman of a good mien, and
richly dressed, came out of the coach, and, mount-
ing a horse that was led by one of his attendants,
put himself at their head, without any other arms
than a sword and a pair of pistols. — Though they
were but four against nine (the coachman remain-
ing on the seat), the) advanced towards us with a
boldness that redoubled my fear ; I did not fail,
however, though I trembled in every joint, to make
ready to fire ; but, to tell the truth, I shut my
eyes, and turned away my head, when I discharged
my carbine ; and, considering the manner in which
it went off, my conscience ought to be acquitted
mi that score.

I will not pretend to describe the action ; for
although I was present, I saw nothing, and my
fear, in confounding my imagination, concealed
from me the horror of the spectacle that occasioned
it— All I know of the matter is, that, after a
great noise of firing, 1 heard my companions shout,
and cry Victory ! Victory ! At that acclamation, the
terror, which had taken possession of my senses.

GIL BLAS. 49

dissipated, and I saw tlio four horsemen stretched
lifeless on the field of battle. On our side we
had but one /nan killed, and he was no other than
the apostate, who had met with his deserts for his
apostacy and profane jests upon the scapularies.
The lieutenant received a wound in the arm ; but
it was a very slight one, the shot having only
ruffled his skin.

Signor Rolando ran immediately to the door of
the coach, in which there was a lady of about four
or five and twenty years of age, who appeared very
handsome notwithstanding the melancholy condi-
tion in which she was, for she had swooned during
the engagement, and was not yet recovered. While
he v?as busied in looking after her, we took care
of the booty, beginning with securing tlie horses
of the killed, which, frightened at the noise of the
firing, had ran away, after having lost their riders.
As for the mules, they had not stirred, although
the coachman (during the action) had quitted his
place, in order to make his escape. — We alighted,
and, unyoking, loaded them with some trunks we
found fastened to the coach, before and behind.
This being done, the lady, who had not as yet re-
covered her senses, was (by order of the captain)
taken out, and placed on horseback before one of
the robbers that was best mounted; after which,
quitting the high road, the coach and the dead,
whom we had stripped, we carried off the lady,
the mules, and the horses.

VOL. I. E

50 CIL ilLASo

CHAR X.

hi what manner the robbers behaved to the lady.
Of the gi' eat design which Gil Bias projected,
and the issue thereof.

It was within an hour of day-break when we
arrived at our habitation ; and the first thing we
did was to lead our beasts into the stable, where
we were obliged to tie them to the rack, and take
care of them with our own hands, the old negro
having been (three days before) seized with a vio-
lent fit of the gout and rheumatism, that kept him
a-bed, deprived of the use of all his limbs : the
only nieinber at liberty was his tongue, which he
employed in testifying his impatience, by the most
horrible execrations. Leaving this miserable wretch
to swear and blaspheme, we went to the kitchen,
where our whole attention was engrossed by the
lady, and we succeeded so well as to bring her out
of her fit : but when she had recovered the use of
her senses, and saw herself in the hands of several
men whom she did not know, she perceived her
mifortuiie, and was seized with horror ! The most
lively sorrow and direful despair appeared in her
eyes, which she lifted up to heaven as if to reproach
it with the indignities that threatened her : then
giving way of a sudden to those dismal apprehen-

GIL BLAS. 51

iions, she relapsed into a swoon, her eyelids closed,
and the robbers imagined thnt death would de-
prive them of their piey. — The captain, thinking
it nacre proper to leave her to herself than to tor-
ment her with their assistance, ordered her to be
carried to Lconarda's bed, where she was leH alone,
at the hazard of what mio-ht happen.

We repaired to the hall, where one of the
thieves, who had been bred a surgeon, dressed the
lieutenant's wound : after which, being desirous of
seeing what was in the trunks, we found some of
them filled with lace and linen, others with clothes,
and the last we opened contained some bags full
of pistoles ; at sight of which the gentlemen con-
cerned were infinitely rejoiced. This inquiry being
made, the cook-maid furnished the side-board,
laid the cloth, and served up supper. — Our con-
versation at first turned upon the great victory we
had obtained; and Rolando addressing himself to
me, " Confess, Gil Bias, (said he) confess that
thou wast horribly afraid." I ingenuously owned,
that what he said was very true ; but tiiat when I
should have made two or three campaigns, I would
fight like a knight-errant : whereupon the whole
company took my part, observing, that my fear
was excusable ; that the action had been very hot ;
and that, considering I was a young fellow who
had never smellcd gunpowder, I had acquitted
myself pretty well.

The discourse afterwards falling upon the mules

52 GIL BLAS.

and horses we had brought into our retreat, it was
agreed, that to-morrow before day we should all
set out together, in order to sell them at Mansilla,
which place, in all probability, the report of our
expedition had not yet reached. This resolution
being taken, we finished our meal, and returned
into the kitchen to visit the lady, whom we found
still in the same situation. Nevertheless, though
it was with difficulty we could perceive any signs
of life in her, some of the villains did not scruple
lo regard her with a profane eye, and even to dis-
cover a brutal desire, which they would have
satisfied immediately, had not Rolando prevented
it, representing to them, that they ought at least
lo wait until the lady should get the better of that
oppression of sorrow which deprived her of reflec-
tion.— The respect they had for their captain
restrained their incontinence, otherwise nothing-
could have saved the lady, whose honour death
itself, perhaps, would not have been able to secure.
We left this unfortunate gentlewoman in the
same condition in which we found her, Rolando
contenting himself with laying injunctions on Leo-
narda to take care of her, while every one retired
into his own apartment. For my own part, as
soon as I got to bed, instead of resigning myself to
sleep, I did nothing but think of this lady's mis-
fortune : I never doubted that she was a person of
quality, and looked upon her situation as the more
deplorable for that reason I could not without

GIL BLAS. 53

shuddering represent to myself the horrors to which
she was destined, and felt myself as deeply con-
cerned for her as if I had been attached by blood
or friendship. /At last, after having bewailed her
hard fate, I began to revolve the means of rescuing
her honour from the danger in which it was, and
of delivering myself at the same time from the
subterranean abode. — I recollected that the old
negro was not in a condition to move, and that,
since his being taken ill, the cook-wench kept the
key of the grate. — This reflection warmed my
imagination, and made me conceive a scheme,
which I digested so well, that I proceeded to
put it in practice immediately, in the following
manner.

Pretending to be racked with the colic, I
began with complaints and groans; then raising
my voice, uttered dreadful cries, tljat waked the
robbers, and brought them instantly to my bed-
side. ^^ hen they asked what made me roar so
hideously, I answered that I was tortured with an
horrible colic ; and, the better to persuade them
of the truth of what I said, grinded my teeth, made
frightful grimaces and contortions, and writhed
myself in a strange manner : then I became quiet
all of a sudden as if my pains had given me some
respite. — In a moment after, I began again to
bounce about the bed, and twist about n)y limbs :
in a word, I played ray part so well, that the thieves,
cunning as they were, allowed themselves to be

54 GIL BLAS.

deceived^ and believed in good earnest that I waa
violently griped. In a moment all of them were
busied in endeavouks to ease me ; one brought a
boitie of usquebaugh, and made me swallow one
half of it : another, in spite of. iiij teeth, injected a
clyster of oil of sweet alraonds ; a third wanned
a napkin, and applied it broiling hot to my belly.
— I roared for mercy in vain : they imputed my
cries to the colic, ar.d continued to make me suffer
real pains, in attempting to free me from one I did
not feel. At last being able to resist them no
longer, I was ftiin to tell them that the gripes had
left me, and to cosjure them to give me quarter.
Upon which they left oft' tormenting me with their
remedies, and I took care to trouble them no
njore wiih my complaints, for fear of undergoing
their good offices a second tiiiic.

This sceaie lasted almost three hours, after which
the robbers, judging that day was not far off, pre-
pared themstlves lo set out for Mansilla : 1 would
have got up, to make them believe I was very
desirous of accompanying them; but they would
not suft'cr me to rise, Signor Rolando saying,
''No, no, Gil Bias, stay at home, child; thy colic
may return. — Thou shalt go with us another time;
but thou art in no condition to go abroad to-day."
I was afraid of insisting upon it too much, lest he
should yield to my request ; therefore I only ap-
peared very much mortified, because I could not
be of the party. This I acted so naturally, that

CIL BL4S. 55

ihey went out of the cavern without the least sus-
picion of my design. — After their departure, which
I had endeavoured to hasten by my prayers, I said
to myself, *' Now, Gil Bias ! now is the time for
thee to have resolution: arm thyself with courage,
to finish that which thou Iiast so happily begun. —
Domingo is not in a condition to oppose thy enter-
prise, and Leonarda cannot hinder its execution.
— Seize this opportunity of escaping, than which,
perhaps, thou wilt never find one more favour-
able." These suggestions failed me with confi-
dence; I got up, took my sword and pistols, and
went towards the kitchen ; but before I entered,
bearing Leonarda speaking, stopped, in order to
listen. She was talking to the unknown lady, who,
having recovered her senses, and understood the
whole of her misfortune, wept, in the utnjost bit-
terness of despair : — '' Weep, my child (said the
old beldame to her) dissolve yourself into tears,
and don't spare for sighs ; for that will give you
case. — You have had a dangerous qualm : but
now, there is nothing to fear, since you shed abun-
dance of tears. — Your grief will abate by little
and little, and you will soon accustom yourself to
live with our gentlemen, who are men of honour.
— You will be treated like a princess, meet with
nothing but complaisance, and fresh proofs of
afiection every day. — There are a great many wo-
men who would be glad to be in your place."
r did not give Leonarda time to proceed, but

56 GIL BLA3.

entering, clapped a pistol to her breast, and, with
a threatening look, commanded her to surrender
the key of the grate. She was confounded at my
behaviour, and, though almost at the end of her
career, so much attached to life, ihat she durst
not refuse my demand. Having got the key in my
possession, I addressed myseu to tlie afflicted lady,
oay in^, '^' Madam, heaven has sent you a deliserer ;
rise and follow me, and I will conduct you whither-
soever you shall please to direct." The lady did
not remain deaf to my words, \\hich n ade such an
impression upon her, that summoning up all the
strength she had left, she got up, and throwing
herself at my feet, conjured me to preserve her
honour. I raised her, and assured her, that she
might rely upon me; then taking some cords,
which I perceived in the kitchen, with her assist-
ance, I tied Leonarda ^o the ^Qti of a large table,
swearing that if she opened her mouth, I would
kill her on the spot, i afterwards lighted a flam-
beau.x, and going witli the stranger into the room
where the gold and silver were deposited, filled my
pockets with pistoles and double pistoles ; and, to
induce the lady to follov/ my example, assured her,
that she only took back her own. When we had
made a good provision of this kind, we went to-
wards the stable, which I entered alone with my
pistols cocked, firndy believing that the old negro,
in spite of his gout and rheumatism, would not
suffer mc to saddle and bridle my horse in quiet ;

GIL BLAS.

5T

and fully resolved to cure him of all hi^ distem-
pers, if be should take it in his head to be trouble-
some : but, by good luck he was so overwhelmed
with the pains he had undergone, and those he
still suffered, that I brought my horse out of the
stable, even \\ithout his seeming to perceive it;
and the lady waiting for me at the door, we threaded
^vith al! dispatch the passage that led out of the
cavern, arrived at the grate, which we opened, and
at last came to the trap-door, which we lifted up
with great difficulty, or rather the desire of escap-
ing' lent us new strenirth, without which we should
not have been able to succeed.

Day began to appear just as we found ourselves
delivered from the jaws of this abyss; and as we
fervently desired to be at a greater distance from
it, I threw nijself into the saddle, the lady mounted
behind me, and following the first path that pre-
sented itself, at a round gallop, got out of the
forest in a short time, and entered a plain divided
bj several roads, one of which we took at random.
I was mortally afraid that it would conduct us to
Mansilla, where we might meet with Rolando and
his confederates ; but happily my fear was vaia.
We arrived at the town of Astorga, at two o'clock
in the afternoon, where people gazed at us with
extreme attention, as if it had been an extraordi-
nary thing to see a woman on horseback, sitting
behind a man. We alighted at the first inn we
came to, where the first thing I did was to order a

5S

GIL BLA8.

partridge and a }ouiig rabbit to the fire ; and
while this was doing, I conducted the ladj into a
chamber, where we began to converse with one
another ; for we had rode so fast, that we had no
discourse upon the road. She shewed how sensible
she was of the service I had done to her, and ob-
served, that after I had performed such a generous
action, she could not persuade herself that I was
a companion of the thieves, from whom I had res-
cued her. I told her my storj, in order to confirm
the good opinion she had conceived of rae ; and,
bj that means engaged her to honour me with her
confidence, and inform me of her misfortunes,
which she recounted, as I shall relate in the follow-
ing chapter.

CHAP. XL

The History of Donna 3Iencia o/Mosquera.

I WAS born at Valladolid, and my name is Donna
Mercia of Mosquera. Don Martin, my father,
after having spent almost his whole patrimony in
the service of his king, was killed in Portugal, at
the head of his own regiment, and left me so mo-
derately provided, that though I was an only child,
I was far from being a good match. I did not

6IL BLAS.

59

Trant admirers^ however, in spite of the lovviicss of
my fortune : a great many of the most considerable
cavaHers in Spain made their addresses to me ; but
he vho attracted my attention most, was Don
Alvaro de jVIello, He was indeed more handsom«
than any of his rivals ; but more substantial quali-
fications determined n)e in his favour; he was en-
dued with prudence, probity, and valour, and
withal the most gallant man in the world: when
he gave entertainments, nothing could be more
elegant ; and when he appeared at tournaments,
every body admired his vigour and address : I
preferred him therefore to all others, and married
him accordingly.

A few days al'ler our marriage, he happened to
meet with Don Andrea de Baesa, who had been
one of his rivals, in a private place, where, quar-
relling with each other, they came to biows^ and
Don Andrea lost his life in the rnitountpr. As he
was nephew to the corregidor of Valladolid, a vio-
lent man, and mortal enemy to the family of Mello,
Don Alvaro knew ho could not leave the city too
soon : he returned home in a hurry, and while they
8|ddled his horse, told me what had happened : —
'* My dear INIencia (said he) we must part ! you
know the corregidor: don't let us then flatter our-
selves, for he will prosecute me with the utmost
rancour ; and as you are not ignorant of his credit,
you know I cannot be safe in this kingdom." He
was so much penetrated with his own sorrow, and

60

GIL BLAS.

"with that wliich he saw take possession of my
breast, that he could say no more ; and when I
had prevailed upon hhu to furnish himself with
some money and jewels^ he clasped me in his arms^
and, during a whole quarter of an hour, we did
nothing but miiigle our sighs and tears. At last,
being told the liorse was ready, he tore himself
from me; he departed, and left nie in a condition
not to be described. Happy! had the excess of
my affliction, at that tin^e, put an end to my life !
what troubles and sorrows would my death have
prevented 1 Some hours after Don Aivaro was gone,
the corregidorbeitig informed of his flight, ordered
him to be pursued, and spared nothing to Iiave
him in his power : but n)y luisband always baffled
his pursuit, and kepi himself secure, in such a
inaiiuer that the judge four^l himself obliged to
limit his revenge to the sole satisfaction of ruining
the fjrtune of a man, whose blood he wanted to
shed; his efforts were not unsuccessful, all the
effects of Don Aivaro being confiscated.

Left in the most ailiicting situation, and having
scarce wherewithal to subsist, I began to live a very
solitary life, all my att/^ndants being reduced to one
liVdlA : I spent the day in bemoaning, not an indi-
gence, which 1 could have borne with patience,
but the absence of my dear husband, whose con-
«?ition I was utterly ignorant of; although he had
promised, in his last melancholy adieu, that he
would take care to inform me of his lot, into what-

GIL liLAS. 61

ever part of the world his cruel fate should conduct
him. Nevertheless, seven long years elapsed,
"without my hearing the least account of him ; and
this uncertainty of his destiny plunged me into an
abyss of sorrow ! At last I was told^, that, in fight-
ing for the king of Portugal in Fez, he had lost
his life in battle: aman lately returned from Afric
confirmed this report, assuring me, that he was
perfectly well acquainted with Don Alvaro de
Mello, had served with him in the Portuguese
army, and even seen him fall in the action : to this
he added many other circumstances, which per-
suaded me that my husband was no more.

At that time, Don Ambrosio JMesia Carrillo,
Marquis of Guardia, came to Valladolid : he was
one of those old lords, who, by the politeness and
gallantry of their manners, make people forget their
age, and continue still agreeable to the ladies. One
day hearing, by accident, the story of Don Alvaro r
and being desirous of seeing me, on account of the
picture which had been drawn of me ; for the satis-
faction of his curiosity, he engaged one of my re-
lations, who carried me to her house. Seeing me
there, I had the fortune to please him, in spite of
the remarkable impression which grief had made
on my countenance : — but \>hy do I say, in spite of
it? perhaps he was touched alone by my sad and
languishing air, which prepossessed him in favour
of my fidelity. His love in all proKubility was the
effect of my melancholy ; for he told me more than

62>

GIL BL4S.

once, that he looked upon me as a miracle of con-
stancy ; and that, for this reason, he even envied
the fate of my husband^ how deplorable soever it
was in other respects : in a word, he was struck at
sight of me, and had no occasion to see me a second
time, in order to take the resolution of making me
his wife.

He chose the intercession of my kinswoman, to-
wards the obtaining of my consent : she came to
my lodgings accordingly, and represented to me,
that my husband having ended his days in the
kingdom of Fez, as we had been informed, it was
not reasonable that I should bury my charms any
longer ; that I had sufficiently bewailed the fate of
a man, with whom I had been united but a few
moments ; and that I ought to profit by the occa-
sion that cow presented itself; by which means I
ought to be the happiest woman in the world.
Then she extolled the great faiuily of the old Mar-
quis, his vast estate, and unblemished character :
but her eloquence in displaying the advantages he
possessed was in vain ; it was not in her power to
persuade me ; not that I doubted the death of Don
Alvaro, or was restrained by the fear of seeing him
again, when I should least expect him : the little
inclination, or rather the reluctance, I felt for a
second marriage, after having suffered so many
misfortunes by my first, was the only obstacle my
relation liad to remove. She did not despair for
all that : on the contrarv, it redoubled her zeal for

UlL BLA8. ^

Don Ambrosio ; she engaged my whole family in
the interests of that lord ; my relations pressed me
to accept of such an advantageous match; I was
every moment besieged, importuned, and torment-
ed ; and ray misery which daily increased, contri-
buted not a little to overcome my resistance.

Being unable, therefore, to hold out any longer,
I yielded to their pressing instances, and married
the Marquis of Guardia^ who, the day after our
nuptials carried me to a very fine castle which he
had, situate near Burgos, between Grajal and
Rodillas. He conceived the most violent passion
for me, and I observed in the whole of his beha-
viour, the utmost desire of pleasing me. His only
study was to anticipate my wishes : no husband
had ever such a tender regard for his wife ; and
no lover ever shewed more complaisance to his
mistress. I should have been passionately fond of
Don Ambrosio, notwithstanding the disproportion
of our years, had I been capable of loving any one
after Don Alvaro ; but a constant heart can never
change. The endeavours of my second husband to
please me were rendered ineffectual by the remem-
brance of my first ; so that I could only requite
his tenderness with pure sentiments of gratitude.

I was in this disposition, when, one day, taking
the air at the window of my apartment, I perceived,
in the garden, a kind of peasant, who earnestly
looked at me. Thinking he was the gardener's ser-
vantf I took no notice of him ; but next day being

61

GIL BLAS:

again at the window, I saw him in the same place^
and he seemed to view me with uncommon atten-
tion. Struck with this circumstance, I looked at
him, in mj turn, and after having some time con-
sidered him, thought I recollected the features of
the unfortunate Don Alvaro ! This apparition raised
an inconceivable tumult within me ! I shrieked
aloud; but luckily, there was nobody present, ex-
cept Inez, who, of all my servants, enjoyed the
greatest sliarc of my confidence. When I imparted
to her the suspicion that alarmed me, she laughed
at my apprehension, believing that my eyes were
imposed upon by some slight resemblance : — '' Re-
collect yourself, madam (said she) and don't ima-
gine you have seen your former husband : what
likelihood is there, that he should be here in the
dress of a peasant ? or, indeed, what probability is
there of his being alive ! I will go down into the
garden (added she) and talk to this countryman,
and when I have learned who he is, conie back and
let you know." Inez accordingly went into the
garden, and soon after returned to my apartment
in great emotion, saying, ''Madam, your suspicion
is but too just! it is Don Alvaro himself whom
you have seen ! He has discovered himself, and
demands a secret interview."

As I had, at that very time, an opportunity of
receiving Don Alvaro, the Marquis being at Bur-
gos, I ordered my maid to bring him into my closet
by a private staircase. You may well think that

GIL BLA9, 65

I was in a t<Trible agitation, and altogellier unable
to support the presence of a man who had a right
to load me with reproaches. As soon as he ap-
peared, I fainted away. Inez and he flew to my
assistance, and when tiicy had brought me out of
my swoon, Don Alvaro said, ^' Madam, for hea-
ven's sake compose yourself; let not my presence
be a punishment to you ; I have no intention to
give you the least pain ; I come not as a furious
husband, to call you to an account of your plighted
troth, and upbraid you with the second engage-
ment you have contracted : I know very well, that
it was the work of your relations ; I am acquainted
with all the persecutions you have suffered on that
score : besides, the report of my death was spread
all over Valladolid ; and you had the more reason
to believe it true, as no letter from me assured you
of the contrary : in short, I know in what man-
ner you have lived since our cruel separation, and
that necessity, rather than love, has thrown you
into the arms of ." — ''Ah, Sir ! (cried I, inter-
rupting him) why will you excuse your unhappy
wife ! she is criminal since you live ! Why am I
not still in that miserable situation in which 1 lived,
before I gave my hand to Don Ambrosio ! Fatal
nuptials ! I should then, at least, have had the
consolation in my misery, to see you again with-
out a blush. "

"My dear Mencia ! (replied Don Alvaro, with
a look that testified how much he was affected by

VOL. I. F

66 GIL BLAS.

my tearS;,) I do not complain ; and, far from re*
proaching jou with the splendid condition in
which I find you, by all my hopes I thank heaven
for it. Since the melancholy day of my departure
from Valladolid fate has been always adverse, and
my life but a chain of misfortunes ; and, to crown
my misery, it never was in my power to let you
hear from me. Too confident of your love, I in-
cessantly represented to myself the condition to
which my fatal tenderness had reduced you. My
imagination painted Donna Mencia in her tears ;
you was the greatest of all my misfortunes, and
sometimes, I must confess, I have looked upon
myself as a criminal, in having had the good for-
tune to please you : I have wished that your affec-
tions had inclined towards some one of my rivals,
since the preference you gave to me had cost you
so dear. Nevertheless, after seven years of suffer-
ing, more in love than ever, I was resolved to see
you. I could not resist this desire, which, at the
end of a long slavery, having an opportunity to
satisfy, I went in this disguise, to Valladolid, at
the hazard of my life; there being informed of
every thing, I came hither, and found means to
introduce myself into the family of the gardener,
who has hired me to work under him. You see
in what manner I have conducted myself to obtain
this private interview ; but do not imagine that
my design is to disturb the felicity you enjoy, by
reaiaining in this place. No ! I love you more

/ GIL DLAS. 67

tl^an mjself ; I have the utmost regard for your
repose; and now that I have had the melancholy
satisfaction of conversing with you, will go and
finish, at a distance, that miserable life, which I
sacrifice to your quiet."

" No, Don Alvaro ! no ! (cried I, at these
words,) I will not suffer you to leave me a second
time ! I will go along with you, and death alone
shall divide us."—'' Take my advice, (said he,)
and live with Don Ambrosio ; do not associate
yourself with my misfortunes, but leave me alone
to support the weight of them." He said other
things, to the same purpose; but the more he
seemed willing to sacrifice himself to my happi-
ness, I felt myself the less disposed to consent to
it ; and when he saw me firmly resolved to follow
him, he changed his toneall of a sudden, and, assum-
ing a more serene air, said, — " Madam, since you
have still so much love for Don Alvaro, as to pre-
fer his misery to the prosperity you now enjoy, let
us go and live at Bctancos, at the farther end of
the kingdom of Gallicia, where I have a secret
retreat. Although my misfortunes have ruined my
estate, they have not yet deprived me of fi iends :
I have still some faithful ones remaining, who
have put me in a condition to carry you off: by
their assistance I have provided a coach at Za-
mora, bought mules and horses, and am accom-
panied by three resolute Gallicians, armed with

68 GIL BLAS. Y

carbines and pistols^ who now wait for my orders
at the village of Rodiilas. Let us, therefore,
(added he,) take the advantage of Don Ambrosio's
absence : I will order the coach to come to the
castle-gate, and we will set out instantly." I
consented : Don Alvaro flew to Rodiilas, and
returned in a short time, with his three attend-
ants, to carry nie off from the midst of my women,
who, not knowing what to think of this event,
ran all away in the utmost consternation : Inez
alone was privy to it, but refused to attach her
fortune to mine, because she was in love with the
valet de chambre of Don Ambrosio.

I got into the coach with Don Alvaro, carrying
nothing with me but my own clothes, and some
jewels I had before my second marriage ; for I
would take nothing that the Marquis had given
me, on that, occasion. We took the road to Gal-
licia, without knowing if we should be so happy
as to reach it, having reason to fear that Don Am-
brosio, at his return, would pursue us with a great
number of people, and overtake us. Nevertheless,
we continued our journey two days, without see-
ing one horseman behind us ; and, in liopes that
the third would pass in tlie same manner, were
conversing with each other in great tranquillity.
Don Alvaro had just recounted the melancholy
adventure which had given rise to the report of
his death; and how, after having been a slave five

GIL BLAS. 69

years, he had recovered his liberty ; when yester-
day, on the road to Leon, we met those thieves,
with whom you were in company : he is the person
whom they murdered, with all his attendants, and
for whom these my tears are shed.

CHAP. XII.

The disagreeable manner in which Gil Bias and
the ladif were ijiterrupted.

Donna Mencia having ended her relation^
shed a torrent of tears ; while I, letting her give
free vent to her sighs, wept also ; so natural is it
to interest one's self for the unfortunate, especially
for a fine lady in distress. I was going to ask
what she intended to do in the present conjunc-
ture— and, perhaps, she was about to consult me
on the same subject — when our conversation was
interrupted by a great noise in the inn, which, in
spite of us, attracted our attention. This noise
was occasioned by the arrival of the corregidor,
followed by two alguazils* and a guard, who,
without any ceremony, entered the room where we
were. A gentleman who accompanied them ap-

* Alguazils are attendant? of justice, uhosc olfice resein-
bies that of our bailiflR?.

70 GIL BLAS.

p reached me first ; and, examining my dress, had
no occasion to hesitate long, but cried, " By St.
Jago ! this is my individual doublet, as easy to be
known again as my horse : you may apprehend
this gallant on my testimony ; he is one of the
thieves Avho have an unknown retreat somewhere
in this country."

At this discourse, by which I understood he was
the gentleman who had been robbed, and whose
spoils I was unluckily in possession of, I was
surprised, confounded, and dismayed I The cor-
regidor, whose office obliged him to put a bad
construction on my disorder, rather than interpret
it favourably, concluded that I was not accused
without reason ; and, presuming that the lady
might be an accomplice, ordered us to be impri-
soned separately. This judge, far from being one
of those who assume a stern countenance, was all
softness and smiles ; but God knows if he was a
bit the better for that ; for i was no sooner com-
mitted, than he came into the gaol with his two
terriers — I mean the alguazils ; who (not forget
ting their laudable custom) began to rummage me
in a moment. What a glorious windfall was this
for those honest gentlemen ! I do not believe that
ever they got such a booty before : at every hand-
ful of pistoles they pulled out, I saw their eyes
sparkle with joy ; the corregidor, in particular,
was transported ! " Child, (said he, with a voice
full of meekness,) wc must do our duty ; but be

GIL BLA9. 71

not afraid. If thou art innocent^ thou shalt sus-
tain no harm." In the mean time, with all their
gentleness, they emptied my pockets, and even
robbed me of that which the thieves had respected
— I mean my uncle's forty ducats. Their greedy
and indefatigable hands searched me from head to
foot ; they turned mc about on all sides, and even
stripped me to see if I had any money between ray
shirt and my skin. When they had dexterously
acquitted themselves in this manner, I was inter-
rogated by the corregidor ; to whom I ingenuously
recounted every thing that had happened to mc.
He ordered my deposition to be taken in writing,
and then went away with his attendants and my
coin, leaving me entirely naked among straw.

" O life ! (cried I, when I found myself alone
in this condition,) how full of capricious accidents
and disappointments are thou ! Since I left Oviedo,
I have met with nothing but misfortunes ! Scarce
had I got out of one danger, when I fell into ano-
ther 1 and, when I came into this town, I was far
from thinking that I should so soon become ac-
quainted with the corregidor." AVhile I made
these vain reflections, I put on again the cursed
doublet and the rest of the dress which my evil
genius had lent me ; then, exhorting myself to
take courage, '^ Come, Gil Bias I (said I to my-
self,) shew thy fortitude : it shall ill become thee
to despair in an ordinary prison, after having put

12 GIL BLAS.

thy patience to such a severe trial in the subter-
ranean abyss! But, alas!" added I (in a sorrowful
tone) " I abuse myself; how shall I escape from
hence, when I am utterly deprived of the means!"
In effect, I had too good reason to say so; for a
prisoner without money is like a bird whose wings
are clipped.

Instead of the partridge and rabbit I had be-
spoke, they brought to me a little brown bread
and a pitcher of water, and left me to fret at lei-
sure in a dungeon, where I remained fifteen whole
days, without seeing a human creature, except the
turnkey, who came every morning to renew my
provision. As often as I saw him I endeavoured
to speak and enter into conversation with him, in
order to divert me a little : but this venerable per-
son made no answer to what I said ; I could
not extract one word from him, nay, for the most
part, he came in and went out, without so much
as deigning me a look. ' On the sixteenth day, the
corregidor coming in, said, *' Thou mayest now
give a loose to joy. I bring thee agreeable tid-
ings. I have ordered the Jady who was along
with thee to be conducted to Burgos. I examined
her before her departure, and her answers have
exculpated thee. Thou shalt be enlarged this
very day, provided that the muleteer, with whom
(as thou sayest) thou earnest from Pennaflor to
Cacabelos, confirms thy deposition. He is now at

C.IL BLA5. 73

Artorga, and I have sent for him ; and if he agrees
with thee in the adventure of the rack, I will in-
stantly set thee free."

These words irave nie infinite joy ! I looked
upon myself as already acquitted ; I thanked the
judge for his just and expeditious decision, and
had not quite finished my compliment, when the
carrier, conducted by two soldiers, arrived: I re-
membered his face immediately ; but he, having
without doubt sold my portmanteau, and all that
was in it, was afraid of being obliged to restore
the money he had received for it, if he should own
that he knew me ; and therefore affirmed, with
astonishing assurance, that far from knowing me,
he had never seen me before ! " Ah, traitor (cried
I) rather confess that thou hast sold my goods ;
and bear witness to the truth : look at me again.
I am one of the young people whom you threat-
ened with the torture at the borough of Cacabelos,
and frightened very much." The carrier answered
coldly, that I talked of an affair of which he was
utterly ignorant ; and as he maintained to the last
that I was unknown to him, my enlargement was
deferred till another time : so that I was obliged
to arm myself wilh patience anew, and resolve to
regale mvself still with my bread and water, and
the sight of a silent turnkey. — The thoughts of
being unable to free myself from the claws of jus-
tice, although I was not guilty of the least crime.

74 GIL BLAS.

threw me into despair ! I wished myself again in
the cavern, " wliere in the main (said I to myself)
I was less disagreeably situated than in this dun-
geon ; there I ate and drank in plenty, conversed
with the robbers, and lived in the sweet hope of
making my escape ; instead of which, notwith-
standing my innocence, J shall perhaps think myself
happily quit, to get out of this place, in order to
be sent to the galleys."

CHAP. XIII.

By what accident Gil Bias was set at liberty at
last; and whither he directed his course,

tV hile I passed my days in entertaining myself
with these reflections, my adventures, such as they
appeared in my deposition, spread all over the
town ; upon which many people being curious to
see me, came and presented themselves, one after
another, at a small chink through which the light
was conveyed into my prison, and after having
observed me for some time, went away. I was
surprised at this novelty ; for since the day of my
imprisonment, I had not before seen a living soul
at that window, which served to enlighten a court
where horror reigned in silence. Guessing from
this that I made some noise in the town, I did not

GIL BLA3.

75

know whether to interpret it as a good or bad
omen.

One of the first that offered themselves to my
view wag the little ballad-singer of Mondonedo,
who, having been equally afraid of the torture,
had fled as well as I. — I knew him again imme-
diately, and as he did not pretend to have forgot
me, we saluted one another, and falling into a long
conversation, I was obliged to repeat my adven-
tures anew : for his part, he informed me of what
had happened at the inn at Cacabelos, between
the carrier and the new-married wife, after we had
been driven away by a panic: in a word, he ac-
quainted me with the whole of \>hat I have already
rehearsed on that subject. After wards^, taking
leave of me for the present, he promised, without
loss of time, to labour for my deliverance ; and
every body who came (as he did) through curi-
osity, seemed affected with my misfortune, and
even assured me, that they would join the little
ballad-singer, and do all that lay in their power to
procure my enlargement.

They kept their promise effectually, and spoke
in my behalf to the corrcgidor, who no longer
doubting my innocence, especially when the bal-
lad-singer had told him what he knew of the
matter, at the end of three weeks came into the
prison, and said, — ''Gil Bias, I don't choose to
protract things: go, thon art free, and may'st quit
tlie prison when thou wilt. But tell mc (pursued

16 GIL BLAS.

he) if Ihou should'st be brought to the wood in
which the subterranean retreat is, could'st thou
not find it out?" — '' No, Sir, (i replied;) for as
I went in at night, and came out before daj, it
would be impossible for me to fix upon the spot."
Upon this the judge withdrew, telling me, that he
was going to order the turnkey to set the prison
doors open for me. — In efiect, the gaoler came
into my dungeon a moment after, with one of his
men carrying a bundle of clothes ; and stripping
me (with a grave and silent air) of my doublet and
breeches, which were made of fine cloth, and al-
most new, they put me on a shabby footman's
frock, and pushed me out by the shoulders.

The joy that prisoners commonly feel in reco-
vering their liberty, was moderated by my confu-
sion in seeing myself so poorly equipped ; and I
was tempted to leave the town instantly, that I
might withdraw myself from the eyes of the peo-
ple, whose looks I could scarce endure : but my
gratitude got the better of my shame: I went to
thank the ballad-singer, to whom I was so much
obliged ; and he could not help laughing when he
saw me. — *' What a strange figure you are! (said'
he) Justice, I see, has been done you in all her
forms." — " I do not complain of justice, (I re-
plied) she is most equitable : I wish only that all
her officers were honest men. They ought at
least to have spared my clothes, which I think I
paid for pretty handsomely."— '^ I think so too

GIL BLAS. ll

(said he) but they will tell you, these are formali-
ties which must be observed. Wiiatdo you think
(for example) that your horse has been restored to
the right owner ? Not at all; I assure you he is
now actually in the stable of the town-clerk, where
he has been deposited as a proof of the robbery ;
and I don't believe the poor gentleman will ever
retrieve so much as the crupper. — But let us shift
our discourse (continued he), what is your design?
What scheme do you intend to prosecute at pre-
sent?"— " I want to go to Burgos (said I) in
order to find out (he lady I delivered, who will
give me a few pistoles, with which I will purchase
a new cassock, and repair to Salamanca, where I
will endeavour to make my Latin turn to some
advantage. All I am concerned at is, that I am
at some distance from Burgos, and shall want
subsistence on the road." — " I understand you
(he replied), here is my purse: — 'tis, indeed, a
little low ; but a ballad-singer, you know, is not
a bishop." At the same time he slipped it into
my hand so clieerfully, that I could not for my
soul refuse the offer, such as it was. I thanked
bim as much as if he had given me all the gold in
Peru, and made a thousand professions of service,
which I never had an opportunity to perform.
Then bidding him farewell, I left the town, with-
out having visited those other persons who had
contributed to my enlargement; contenting myself
with bestowing upon them in my own thoughts a
thousand benedictions.

78 GIL BIAS.

The little ballad-singer was in the right to speak
modestly of his purse, in which I found very little
money : but happily for me, I had been used two
months to a very frugal diet ; and I had still some
rials left, when I arrived at the borough of Ponte
de Mula, which is but a little way from Burgos.
Here I halted to inquire about Donna Mencia,
and going into an inn, the mistress of which was
a little, lean, fierce, insolent creature, I perceived
at once, by the disdainful look she darted me,
that my frock was not at all to her liking ; a dis-
gust which I forgave with all my heart. — I sat
down at table, where I ate some bread and cheese,
and swallowed a few draughts of execrable wine,
which they brought for me; and during this re-
past, which was very well suited to my dress, I
wanted to enter into conversation with my land-
lady.— I begged her to tell me if she knew the
Marquis of Guardia ; if his castle was far from
the borough; and, in particular, if she had heard
what was become of the marchioness his lady?
*' You ask a great many questions," (replied she,
with a scornful look.) She told nie, however,
(though with a very bad grace) that the castle of
Don Ambrosio was but a short league from Ponte
de Mula.

When I had done eating and drinking (it being
by this time pretty late) I expressed a desire of
going to rest, and bade them shew me into a bed-
chamber. " A bed-chamber for you ! (said the
landlady, darting at me a look full of haughtiness

GIL BLAS. 79

and contempt) I have no bed-chambers for people
who sup on a morsel of cheese. — All my beds are
bespoke : — I expect gentlemen of importance to
lodge here to-night ; so that all I can do for joii
is to quarter you in the barn ; and it won't, I
suppose, be the first time you have slept upon
straw." She did not know how true she spoke;
but I made no reply, and very wisely condescended
to sneak into the straw, where in a very short
time I slept like one who had suffered much
fatigue.

CHAP. XIV.

Of his receptio7i at Burgos hy Donna Mencia.

.1 DID not lie a-bed like a sluggard next morning'
but went to reckon with my landlady, who seemed
less proud and snappish than she had been the
night before ; a change that I ascribed to the pre-
sence of three honest soldiers belonging to the holy
brotherhood, who conversed with her in a very
familiar manner. — They had lodged all night at
the inn, and it was, doubtless, for these gentlemen
of importance, that all the beds had been bespoke.
Inquiring in the borough the way to the castle
whither I wanted to go, I addressed myself by ac-
cident to a man of the character of my landlord at
Pennaflor : not contented with answering the

80 GIL BLAS.

question I asked, he let me kuow that Don Am-
brosio was dead three weeks ago^, and that the
marchioness his lady had retired into a convent at
Burgos, which he named.— I repaired immediately
to that city, instead of following the road to the
castle, as I formerly intended, and flying directly
to the convent where she was, begged the favour
of the portress to tell her that a young man, just
released from the gaol of Astorga, desired to speak
with her. The nun went immediately to do what
I desired, and returning, introduced me into a
parlour, where I had not been long when I saw
the widow of Don Ambrosio appear at the grate in
deep mourning.

'^ You are welcome (said the lady to me;) four
days ago I wrote to a person at Astorga, desiring
him to go to you from me, and tell you that I
should bo glad to see you, as soon as you should
be released ; and I did not doubt of your being
enlarged in a very little time, what I said to the
corregidor in jour behalf having been sufficient
for that purpose. — In answer to this he wrote, that
you had recovered your liberty, but nobody knew
whither you were gone; so tliai, 1 was afraid I
should never see you again, and consequently be
deprived of the pleasure of manifesting my grati-
tude.— Don't be aslsamed (added she, observing
my confusion on account of appearing before her
in such a miserable dress) let not your present con-
dition give you the least uneasiness. After the

GIL BLAS. 81

important service you have done me, I should be
the most unirrateful of all women, if I neglected
to do something for you : I intend to extricate
you out of the wretched situation in which you
are: it is my duty, and [ am able to perform it —
the considerable wealth I am now mistress of
empowering me to acquit myself towards you,
without iiiconimoJiiig myself.

'' You know (continued she) my adventures to
the day on which we were both imprisoned ; and I
will tell you what has happened to me since. —
When the corregidor of Astorga had ordered me
to be conducted to Burgos, after having heard
from my mouth a faithful relation of my story, I
repaired to Don Ambrosio's castle, where my re-
turn occasioned extreme surprise, though I was
told it was too late; for the marquis, thunder-
struck at the news of my flight, had fallen ill, and
the physicians despaired of his life. This was
fresh cause for me to complain of the rigour of my
fate: nevertheless, having advertised him of my
arrivalj I entered his chamber, and running to his
bed-side, threw myself on my knees, my face
bathed in tears, and my heart oppressed with the
most afflicting grief! — ' What brings you hither,
(said he, when he perceived me) Are you come to
contemplate your own work ? Was it not suffi-
cient for you to deprive me of life, but you must
also have the satisfaction of being an eye-witness
of my death?' — 'No, my lord, (I replied) Inez

VOL. I. G

03 GIL BLAS.

must have told you that I fled with my husband;
and had it not been for the dismal accident which
has robbed me of him, you never should have seen
me again!' At the same time I let him know
that Don Alvaro had been murdered by robbers,
who afterwards carried me into their subterranean
retreat; and, in short, informed him of all that
had happened. — When I had done speaking,
Don Ambrosio stretched out his hand to me, say-
ing, with the utmost tenderness — ' I am satisfied —
I cease to complain: — Why should I reproach
you! having found again a husband whom you
dearly loved, you abandoned rae to follow his for-
tune : ought I to blame you for such a conduct ?
No, madam, I should have been in the wrong to
murmur at it, therefore would not suffer you to
be pursued. I revered the sacred rights of your
ravisher, and even your inclination towards him. —
In fine, I do you justice ; and, by your return, you
have retrieved all my tenderness ! Yes, my dear
Mencia, your presence overwhelms me with joy !
but, alas ! it will not last long. I feel my last
hour approaching ! Scarce are you restored to
my arms, when I must bid you an eternal adieu !'
At these affecting, words my tears redoubled ! I
felt and expressed an immoderate affliction ! I ques-
tion if the death of Don Alvaro, whom I adored,
had cost me more sighs ! Don Ambrosio's presage
of his own death was but too true ; he expired
, next day ; and I remained mistress of a consider-

r>lL BLAS.

83

able estate which he had settled upon me, at our
marriage. I intend to make no bad use of it.
The world shall not see me (though I am still
joung) throw myself into the arms of a third hus-
band ; for besides that I think such a conduct
would be inconsistent with the virtue and delicacy
of my sex, I own I have no longer any relish for
the world ; but design to end ray days in this con-
vent, and become a benefactress to it."

Such was the discourse of Donna Mencia, who,
taking out a purse from under her robe, put it in
my hand, saying, " Here arc a hundred ducats,
which I give you only to buy clothes ; come and
see me again, after you have equipped yourself ;
for I do not intend to confine my gratitude within
such narrow bounds." I gave the lady a thousand
thanks ; and swore I would not part from Burgos
without taking leave of her; after this oath, which
I had no intention to break, I went in quest of an
inn, and going into the first I perceived, demanded,
a room, telling the landlord (to prevent tlie bad
opinion he might conceive of me, from the shabby
frock) that notwithstanding my appearance, i was
in a condition to pay handsomely for my lodging.
At these words, the inn-kccper, whose name was
Majuelo, naturally a great wag, surveying me from
top to bottom, answered dryly, with a sarcastic
sneer, there was no occasion for such an assurance,
to persuade him that I should spend like a prince
in his house ; for, he discovered something noble

84: GIL BLAS.

in me, by my dress ; and, in short, did not doubt
that I was a gentleman of very independent fortune.
I could easily perceive that the rascal rallied rac,
and, in order to put an end to his witticisms,
shewed my purse. I even counted my ducats on
a table before him, and observing that my coin
altered his opinion very much in ray favour, de-
sired he would recommend rae to ataylor. ''You
had better (said he) send for a broker, who will
bring along with hiai all kinds of apparel ready
made, and fit you in a trice." I approved of his
advice, and resolved to follow it: but the day
being near a close, deferred my purchase till next
morning, and thought of nothing but making a
good supper, to indemnify me for the sorry meals
I had made since my deliverance from the cavern.

CHAP. XV.

Of the manner in which Gil Bias addressed him-
self. Of the 7iew present he received froin the
lady; and the equipage in which he departed
from Burgos.

J. HEY brought for my supper a huge fricassee of
sheep-trotters, which I picked to the bones ; and
having drank in proportion betook myself to rest.
As I had the convenience of a good bed, I was in

GIL BLAS. 85

hopes of enjoying a sound sleep : but for all that
could not close my eyes ; my thoughts being en-
grossed in determining upon the dress I was to"
choose. '' ^Vhat must I do (said I to myself);
prosecute my first design, buy a cassock, and go to
Salamanca in quest of a tutor's place : But why
should 1 take the habit of a licentiate ? Am I
ambitious of consecrating rmself to the church ?
or have the least bias that way ? No: I feel myself
(on the contrary) quite otherwise inclined : I will
turn gentleman, and endeavour to make my for-
tune in the world."

Having resolved upon this, I longed for day with
the utmost impatience : and no sooner perceived
the glimpse of light, than I got up and made so
much noise in the inn, that I wakened all those
who were asleep. I called the waiters who were
still a-bed, and who loaded me with curses by way
of answer. They were obliged to rise, however,
and I gave them no quarter, until one of them had
gone for a broker, ^^ho soon appeared followed by
two apprentices, carrying each a great green bag
on his shoulders. He saluted me with great
civility, saying, " Signor Cavalier, you are very
happy in having applied to me, rather than to any
other body. I don't choose to disparage my
brethren. God forbid that I should prejudice
their reputation in the least ! but between you and
me, there is no conscience among them. They are
all as unbounded as Jews. I am the only honest

80

GIL BLAS.

broker in town. I confine myself to a moderate
profit: being satisfied with a pound in the shilling
— I mean, a shilling in the pound. Thank heaven !
I deal upon the square with all mankind."

The broker, after this preamble, which I took
for gospel, ordered his men to untie the bundles^
and shewed me suits of all colours. Some which
were of plain cloth I rejected with disdain as being
too mean; but thej made me try one which seemed
to have been made exactly for my shape, and which
struck my fancy, although somewhat worn. It
consisted of a doublet with slashed sleeves, a pair
of breeches, and a cloke, the whole of blue vel-
vet embroidered with gold. Fixing on this, I
cheapened it, and the broker, perceiving I was bent
upon it, observed that I had an excellent taste.
'' Odds bodikins ! (cried he) one may see you know
what you are about. I can tell you, that suit was
made for one of the greatest lords in the kingdom,
who never had it three times on his back. Ex-
amine the velvet, nothing can be finer; and as for
the embroidery, you must confess the work is ex-
quisite." '' What will you sell it for?" said I.
He answered, '' Sixty ducats: I am a rogue if I
have not refused the money." The alternative
was plain; I offered five and forty, which might be
about double the value. "' Mr. What d'ye call 'urn,
(replied the broker, with an air of indifference) I
never exact too much. I am always at a word.
Here, (continued he, shewing me some of those I

GIL BLAS.

87

had refused) buy this. I'll sell it a pennyworth."
This was only to excite my desire of purchasing
that which I had cheapened ; and accordingly,
imagining that he would not abate one farthing of
his price, I counted into his hands the sixty ducats.
Wheu he saw me part with them so easily, I be-
lieve, in spite of his boasted honesty, he wished
that he had asked a great deal more : pretty
well satisfied, however, with having gained nine-
teen shillings in the pound, he went away with his
apprentices, whom I had not forgotten.

Having now a very handsome cloke, doublet,
and breeches, I spent the rest of the morning in
providing other necessaries. I bought a hat, silk
stockings, shoes, linen, and a sword: after which,
having dressed, what infinite pleasure had I in
beholding myself so well equipped ! ]My eyes (to
use the expression) could not sufiiciently glut them-
selves w ith my attire ! Never peacock contem-
plated his own feathers with more satisfaction.
That very day I made my second visit to Donna
Mencia, who still received me very kindly, and
thanked me again for the service I had done her.
On that score, many compliments passed on both
sides : after which, wishing me all happiness, she
bade me farewell, and retired without giving me
any thing but a ring worth thirty pistoles which
she desired me to keep in remembrance of her.

I looked very blank with my ring, having laid
my account with receiving a much more consider-

Glh BLAS.

able present^ and trudged back to my lodgings in
a brown study^ little satisfied with <he lady's gene-
rosity. But just as I entered the inn, a man, who
had followed me all the way, came in likewise,
and laying aside the cloke in which he was muffled
up, discovered a great bag under his arm. At
the apparition of this bag, which had all the air
of being full of money, I, as well as some other
people who were present, stared with their eyes
wide open ; and I thought I heard the voice of an
angel, when the man laying the bag upon ^he
table, pronounced, " Signer Gil Bias, here is
something that my lady marchioue.'^s has sent you."
1 made many profound bows to the bearer, whom
I overwhelmed with civility : and he was no sooner
gone than I darted upon the bag like a hawk upon
his prey ; and carrying it to my chamber, untied it
without loss of time, and found in it a thousand
ducats. I had just made an end of counting them,
when my landlord, who had heard what the porter
said, came in to see the contents of the bag. Thun-
derstruck at the sight of my coin spread upon the
table — '' Zounds (cried he) what a vast sum of
money is here ! You must be a devil amongst
the women (added he, with a satirical smile) for
although you have not been four and twenty hours
in Burgos, you have a marchioness already under
contribution."

This discourse did not disgust me ; I was tempted
to leave Majuelo in his mistake, which already

GIL BLAS. 89

gave me a sensible pleasure : so that I do not
wonder that young fellows love to be thouo-ht men
of intrigue. My innocence however got the better
of my vanity: I uudcceived my landlord, and re-
counted the story of Donna Mencia. to which he
listened with great attention. I then disclosed the
state of my affairs, and as he seemed to interest
himself in my behalf, begged the assistance of his
advice. Having mused a while, " Signor Gil Bias
(said he) I have a regard for you ; and since you
have confidence enough in me to unbosom yourself
in this manner, I will, without flattery, tell you
what I think you are fittest for. As you seem de-
signed by nature for the court, I advise you to go
thither and attach yourself to some grandee : but
be sure either to meddle in his concerns, or enter
into liis pleasures : otherwise you will lose your
time. I know the great. They look upon the zeal
and attachment of an honest man as nothing at all ;
and mind only such as are necessary to them. But
you have another resource (continued he:) you
are young and handsome ; and these qualifications
alone, without the least glimpse of understanding,
are more than sufficient to captivate a rich widow,
or some fine lady unhappily married : if love ruins
gentlemen of fortune, it often maintains those who
have none. It is njy advice therefore, that you go
to Madrid ; but you must by no means appear
without attendants ; they judge there, as in other
places, by appearance ; and you will be considered

90 GIL BLAS.

only in proportion to the figure you make. I will
recommend a servant to you — a faithful domestic
— a prudent, sober fellow — in one word, a man of
my own making. Purchase a couple of mules, one
for yourself, and another for him, and set out as
soon as possible."

This advice was too much to my own taste to be
neglected : I therefore, next morning, bought two
handsome mules, and hired the servant he had re-
commended : he was a fellow thirty years old, of
a simple religious aspect, born, as he said, in the
kingdom of Gallicia ; his name was Ambrose de
Lamela; far from being selfish like other servants,
he made no words about his wages, but assured
me he would be contented with what in my good-
ness I should think proper to bestow. Having
provided myself likewise with boots, and a port-
manteau to hold my linen and cash, I cleared with
my landlord, and early next morning set out from
Burgos on my way to Madrid.

CHAP. XVI.

Shews that ive ought not to trust too much to
iwosjperity.

W E slept the first night at Duennas, and arriving
at Valiadolid the day following, about four o'clock
in the afternoon, aliijhted at an inn, which seemed

GIL BLA3. 91

one of the best in town. I left the care of my mules
to mj lacquey, and going up stairs into a chamber
whither I ordered a servant of the house to bring
ray portmanteau^ felt myself a little fatigued, and
without taking-ofF ray boots, threw rayself on the
bed, where I fell asleep, insensibly. It being
almost night when I waked, I called for Ambrose,
who was gone out, but returned in a little time :
when I asked where he had been, he replied with
a pious air, that he was just come from church,
where he had been to return thanks to heaven, for
having preserved him from all evil accidents on the
road from Burgos even unto Valladolid : I ap-
proved of his conduct, and bade him order a fowl
to the fire for my supper.

At that very instant, my landlord entered with
a taper in his hand, lighting in a lady who seemed
more handsome than young, and very richly dress-
ed : she was squired by an old usher, and a little
black moor carried her train. I was not a little
surprised when this lady, after having made a low
curtsey, asked if I was not Signer Gil Bias de San-
tillane, to which I had no sooner answered in the
aflirmative, than she quitted her attendant, and
embraced me in a transport of joy, that redoubled
my astonishment. " Blessed be heaven (cried
she) for this meeting ! You are the person, Signor
Cavalier, you are the very person I- was in quest
of!" At this preamble I thought of the parasite

93 GIL BLAS.

at Pennaflor ; and began to look upon the lady as
a downright bite ; when I was induced to think
more favourably of her, by what followed. "^ I
am (added she) cousin-german to Donna Mencia
of Mosquera, who has been so much obliged to
you ; and received a letter from her this morning,
importing, that having heard you was going to
Madrid, 1 would oblige her very much, by treating
you handsomely, provided you should pass this
way : I have been running all over the town these
two hours, inquiring,- from inn to inn, about all the
strangers that arrived ; and by the description your
landlord gave me of you, I imagined you might be
the deliverer of my cousin. Ah ! now that I have
found you (continued she) you shall see how sensi-
ble I am of the services you have done my family,
and in particular, to my dear cousin ! You shall
come to my house immediately (ifyou please) where
vou will be more conveniently lodged than here/'
I would have excused myself, by representing to
the lady, that I should incommode her family, but
there was no resisting her importunities : there was
a coach waiting for us at the door, in which she
?ook care to see my portmanteau secured, *' be-
cause (said she) there are a great many rogues in
Valladolid ;" an observation I found but too true !
In short, I went into the coach along with her and
her squire, and suffered myself to be carried away
from the inn, to the mortification of the landlord.

GIL BLAS.

93

who by these means found himself disappointed of
the money which he expected I would spend at his
house.

Our coach having rolled for some time, stopped
at a pretty large house, where we alighted, and
went up stairs into a handsome apartment lighted
by twenty or thirty wax-candles. We passed
through a good many servants, of whom the lady
asked if Don Raphael was yet come ; and was an-
swered in the negative; upon which, addressing
herself to me, '* Signor Gil Bias (said she) I have
a brother whom I expect this evening from a villa
we have two leagues from this : he will be very
agreeably surprised to find in this house a gentleman
to whom our whole family is so much indebted."
She had scarce spoke these words, when we heard
a noise below, which (we were told) was occasioned
by the arrival of Don Raphael ; and that cavalier,
who was a young man of a good shape and genteel
address, appeared soon after. " Brother (said the
lady to him) I am extremely glad of your return !
you will assist me in doing honour to Signor Gil
Bias de Santillane ; to whom we can never enough
shew our gratitude for what he has done in behalf
of our kinswoman Donna Mencia: there (added
she, giving him a letter) you may read what she
has wrote on the subject." Don Raphael opening
the letter, pronounced these words aloud : —

94 GIL ELAS.

MY DEAR CAMILLA,

Siguor Gil Bias de Santillane, who preserved my
honour as well as my life, has set out for court;
and as he will, doubtless, pass throug Valladolid.
I conjure you by the blood, and still more, by the
friendship that unites us, to shew him all the re-
spect in your power, and detain him some time in
your family. I flatter myself, that you will give
mc that satisfaction, and that my deliverer will
receive all manner of civility from you and my
cousin Don Raphael. At Burgos, your affection-
ate kinswoman,

DoNNA MeNCIA.

'' How! (cried Don Raphael) is this the gentle-
man to whom my cousin owes her honour and life?
Ah ! heaven be praised for this happy rencounter V
So saying, he, approached, and clasping me in his
arms, '^ What joy do I feel (said he) in embracing
Signor Gil Bias de Santillane! my cousin the mar-
chioness had no occasion to lay such injunctions
upon us : it would have been sufficient to let us
know, that you was to pass through Valladolid.
My sister and I know very well how to behave
ourselves towards a gentleman, who has perform
such an important piece of service to the person for
whom, of all our family, we have the most tender
regard." I answered as well as I could to these
compliments, which were followed by a great many
moir of the same nature, aiid interspersed with a

GIL BLAS. 95

thousand caresses : after which, perceiving that
my boots were still on, they ordered their servants
to pull them ofV: and we went into another room,
where the cloth being laid, the gentleman, lady,
and I sat down to supper ; during which, they said
a thousand obliging things to me. Not a word es-
caped me 't^hich they did not repeat as an admira-
ble stroke of wit ; and it was surprising to see how
attentive they were in presenting me with all the
daintiest morsels. Don Raphael drank frequently
to the health of Donna Mencia, in which I followed
his example ; and 1 imagined that Camilla, who
did us justice, sometimes threw certain very signi-
ficant looks at me. I even observed that she chose
proper opportunities of so doing, as if she had been
afraid that her brother would perceive it. This
was enough to persuade me of the lady's being
smitten ; and I flattered myself with the hope of
profiting by that discovery, during my short stay
at Valladolid. This hope induced me to yield,
without difticulty, to their entreaties, when they
requested me to spend a few days with them. They
thanked me for my complaisance, and the joy
which Camilla discovered on this occasion con-
firmed me in the opinion, that I had found the
way to her heart.

Don Raphael seeing me determined to stay with
him some time, proposed to carry me to his country
house, of which he gave me a magnificent descrip-
tion ; and talked of the pleasures he would there

96 GIL ELAS.

entertain me with. " Sometimes (said he) we will
take the diversion of hunting, sometimes that of
fishing, and, if you love walking, we have delight-
ful woods, and gardens in abundance : besides we
shall not want good company ; and, or the whole,
I hope you will not grow melancholy among us."
I accepted his oflfer, and it was determined that we
should go to this charming place the very next day.
Having projected this agreeable scheme, we rose
from table ; and Don Raphael embracing me, in a
transport of joy, said, " Signor Gil Bias, I will
leave ray sister to entertain you, while I go imme-
diately to give necessary orders, and advertise those
people who I intend shall be of the party.'* So
saying, he went out of the room, and I continued
conversing with the lady, who did not contradict,
by her discourse, the soft glances she had thrown
at me. She took hold of ray hand, and, looking
at my ring, said, " You have got a pretty diamond
enough, but it is a very small one. Are you a
connoisseur in stones ?'* When I answered in the
negative, " I am sorry for it (said she) for you
might have told me what this is worth." With
these words she shewed me a large ruby on her
finger, and while I examined it, added, *' An uncle
of mine, who was governor of the Spanish colonies
in the Philippine isles, made me a present of this
ruby, which the jewellers here in Valladolid value
at three hundred pistoles." — " I believe it is well
worth the money (said I) for it is extremely beauti-

GIL BLA8.

97

ful." — Since you arc pleased with it (she replied)
I will make an exchange with you." And imme-
diately she pulled off my ring, and put her own on
my little finger. Having made this exchange,
which I looked upon as a genteel way of niaking
a present, Camilla squeezed my hand, and looked
at me in the most languishing manner ; then start-
ing up abruptly, wislied nje good night, and with-
drew in great confusion, as if she had been ashamed
of disclosing her sentiments.

Novice as I was in gallantry, I knew w ell enough
how to interpret this precipitate retreat in my
favour, and concluded that I should pass my time
very agreeably at their villa. Full of this flattering-
idea, and the prosperous condition of my affairs, 1
locked myself in the chamber where I was to lie,
after having ordered my servant to coiue and wake
me early in the morning; but instead of going to
rest, I gave a loose to those agreeable reflections,
which my portmanteau, that lay on the table, and
my ruby, inspired. Thank heaven ! said 1 to my-
self, if I have been unfortunate, I a'li no longer so.
On one side a thousand ducats; a ring worth three
hundred pistoles on the other ! My finances will
not be exhausted in a hurry ! I see now that Ma-
juelo did not flatter me. I shall inflame the hearts
of a thousand ladies at Madrid, since I have made
such an easy conquest of Camilla. The favours
of that generous lady presented themselves to my
imagination, with all their charms ; and I uiitici-

YOL. 1. 11

,98 GIL BLASo

pated the diversions that Don Rapliael prepared
for me at his house in the country. In the midst
of these pleasing images, however sleep did not fail
to shed his poppies over me ; so that finding myself
drowsy, I undressed, and went to bed.

Next morning, when I awaked, I perceived tiiat
it was already late, and was a good deal surprised
that my valet did not appear in consequence of
the order I had given him over night. Ambrose^
isaid I to myself, ray faithful Ambrose, is either at
church, or very lazy to-day. But I soon lost that
opinion of him, and conceived one much worse ;
for getting up, and missing my portmanteau, I
suspected him of having stolen it in the night.
For further information I opened the chamber-
door, and called the hypocrite several times ; at
last, an old man, hearing me, came and said,
*' What would you please to have, Signor ? all your
people departed from my house long before day."
— *' How (cried I) your house ! am I not at present
in the house of Don Raphael ?" — " I don't know
who that gentleman is (said he) but you are in
furnished lodgings, and I am the landlord : last
Jiight, an hour before your arrival, the lady who
supped along with you came hither, and hired this
apartment for a great lord, who, she said, travelled
incognito ; and even paid me before-hand."

I was no longer iij flic dark; I guessed Ihe
characftra of Camilla and Don Raphael, and
conchuled that my sfvvaut, bein<i' perfectly well

GIL BLAS. 99

acquainted with my affairs, had soid me to these
sharpers. Instead of ascribing- this unlucky adven->
ture to myself, and considering that it would not
have happened to me, had I not been so indiscreet
as to unbosom myself unnecessarily to Majuelo, h
imputed all to innocent fortune, and cursed my
fate a thousand times. The owner of the house, to
whom I recounted the adventure, which, perhaps,
he knew as well as I did, seemed affected with my
sorrow, condoled me, and protested that he was
very much mortified to find that such a scene had
passed in his house : but I believe, notwithstanding
all his professions, he was as much concerned in
the trick as my landlord at Burgos, to whom,
however, I have always attributed the honour of
the invention.

CHAP. XVII.

How Gil Bias bestowed himself after the adven-
ture of the ready furnished lodging.

Having heartily bewailed my misfortune, I
considered, that instead of giving way to sorrow,
I ought to animate myself against mischance; and
summoning all my courage to my assistance, said
to myself, while I put on my clothes, by way of
consolation, 1 am happy in that the rogues have

100 GIL BLAS.

not also carried oft' my apparel, and some ducatsi
which I have still in my purse : I gave them credit
for this piece of civility ; and sold my boots, which
they had been generous enough to leave likewise,
to my landlord, for one-third of the money they
had cost me. Then taking my leave of the ready-
furnished lodging, without having occasion, thank
God ! for any body to carry my baggage, the first
thing I did, was to go and see whether or not my
mules were at the inn, where I alighted the pre-
ceding night ; though I was of opinion that Am-
brose had not left them there ; and I wish to God
my opinion of him had always been as just! for
they told me he had taken care to fetch them
away that very evening : wherefore laying my ac-
count with having seen the last of them^ as well
as of my portmanteau, I strolled about the streets
in a melancholy manner, musing on what should
be my next course. I was tempted to return to
Burgos, and have recourse to Donna Mencia once
more ; but when I reflected, that in so doing I
should abuse the generosity of the lady, and at
the same time be looked upon as a booby, I relin-
quished that thought, swearing 1 should for the
future be upon my guard against women ; and I
believe at the time, I should have mistrusted the
chaste Susanna. I cast my eyes from tinie to time
upon my ring, and when I considered that it was
a present from Camilla, sighed with vexation.
Alas ! thought I, though I am no connoisseur in

GIL BLA5. 101

rubies, I have too good reason to know those who
exchange them ; and I believe it is not necessary
that I should go to a jeweller, to be persuaded that
1 am a fool.

I was willing howevt r to be informed of the
worth of my ring, and accordingly shewed it to a
lapidary, who valued it at three ducats. Though
I was not surprised at this estimation, 1 wished
the niece of the governor of the Philippine isles at
the devil, or rather only repeated the wish. As I
came out of the jeweller's house, a young fellow,
who was passing, stopped to consider me. Not
being able to recollect him at first, although I had
formerly been intimate with him, " liow, Gil Bins
(said he) do you pretend ignorance of me, or have
two years altered the son of barber Nunnez so
much, that you do not know him ? don't you re-
member Fabricius, your companion and school-
fellow, with whom you have so often disputed, at
the bouse of Doctor Godinez, upon predicables
and metaphysical degrees?"

I remembered him before he had done speaking,
and we embraced one another with transport.
" My dear friend (continued he) how glad ain 1 .
to meet thee! I can't express the joy 1 feel. —
But (added he, with an air of surprise) what do
I see ! egad ! thou art dressed like a prince ! a
fine sword, silk stockings, doublet, and cloke of
velvet embroidered with silver! — Odd'sniggers!
this smells strong- of intrigues ! I'll hold a wager

102 GIL BLAS.

that thou sbarest the bounty of some liberal old
ladj/' — '• You are mistaken (said I) for ray affairs
are not so flourishing as you imagine." — '^ Pshaw,
pshaw (replied he) you affect to be a close fellow ;
that fine ruby on your finger, Mr. Gil Bias, whence
comes that, I pray you r" — '' It comes (said I) from
an arrant jade. Fabricius, my dear Fabricius, far
from bein<r in voffue among: the women at Vallo-
dolid, know that I am a most ridiculous dupe."

I pronounced these last words so ruefully, that
Fabricius was convinced of my having been im-
posed upon in some shape or other ; and pressed
me to tell iiim what were my reasons for complain-
ing of the fair sex. I was easily prevailed upon to
satisfy his curiosity ; but as my story was pretty
long, and besides, we had no intention of parting
in a hurry, we went into a public house, that we
might converse together more at our ease ; and
there, while we breakfasted, I recounted to him
all that had happened to me since my departure
from Ovicdo. He thought my adventures were
extremely odd, and after having assured me, that
he very much sympathised with me, in my present
unlucky situation, said, — *' We must console our-
selves, my child, as well as we can, for all the
misfortunes of life. When a man of spirit is un-
lucky, he waits with patience for a more favour-
able conjuncture. One should never, as Cicero
says, let himself be so much dejected as to forget
hat he is ::i man. For my own part, I am of that

GIL BLAS. 103

very disposition: my misfortunes have not been
able to overwhelm rae, because I ara always above
the caprice of fate. For instance, I loved a girl
of some fashion at Oviedo, who had a tcndre for
me ; I asked her in marriage of her father, and
he refused me. Another, on this occasion, would
have died of grief: but I (admire the force of
genius) carried oflf the dear creature : as she was
passionate, thoughtless, and vain, pleasure, of con-
sequence, always determined her to the prejudice
of duty. I led her a dance, of six months, through
the kingdom of Gallicia, from whence, as I had
given her a taste for travelling, she was desirous of
going to Portugal ; but thought proper to choose
a new conductor : here was another subject of
despair, but, f >r all that, I did not sink under the
weight of it, and, wiser than Menelaus, instead of
declaring war against the Paris who had stolen
ray Helen, I thought myself very much obliged to
him for having rid my hands of her. Afterwards,
being unwilling to return to the Asturias, that I
might avoid all expostulation with justice, I ad-
vanced into the kingdom of Leon, spending from
town to town the remainder of the money I had
carried off with my infanta ; for we had quitted
Oviedo with the full hand ; and arrived at Palen-
cia with a solitary ducat, out of which I was
obliged to buy a pair of shoes; so that the re-
maining part could not last niucii longer. My
situation became very perplexing, and 1 was even

104 GIL BLAS.

reduced to a very strict regimen ; there was no
time to be lost, I resolved to go to service, and
hired myself to a great woollen-draper, whose son
was an accomplished rake. Here, though I found
an asylum against hunger, I was not a little em-
barrassed ; for the father ordered me to be a spy
upon the son ; and the son entreated me to assist
him in cheating the father. Being obliged to de-
termine, I preferred the entreaty to the command ;
and that preference cost me my place. I after-
wards went into the service of an old painter, who
would have taught me, through friendship, the
principles of his art ; in the demonstration of
which, however, I was almost famished. This
gave me a disgust for painting, and a disrelish for
Palencia at the same time; and coming to Valla-
dolid, by the greatest good fortune in (he world I
got into the family of one of the directors of the
Iiospital, where I now live perfectly happy. Signor
Manuel Ordonnez, my master, is a man of pro-
found piety, who walks with his eyes always fixed
on the ground, and a large rosary in his hand.
Thty say, that fjom his youth, having nothing in
view but the funds of the poor, he attached him-
self to tlicm w ith indefatigable zeal ; and accord-
Hgly his cares have not been ill requited; every
thiiig prospers with him. What a blessing it is,
that he has made himself rich in managing the
affairs of the poor."

Fab! icius having harangued in this manner, '* 1

GIL BLAS. 105

am very glad (said I to him) to find thee so well
satisfied with thy condition : but between 3 ou and
me, I think you might play a more honourable
part in the world." — " You arc mistaken, Gil Bias
(answered he) there is no situation in life more
agreeable to one of my humour, than that which
I now enjoy : the employment of a lacquey is
troublesome, I own, to a silly fellow ; but to a lad
of spirit, it is full of charms. A superior genius
that goes to service, does not confine himself to
the menial circumstances of his duty, like a sim-
pleton : he goes into a family to command rather
than to obey, he begins by studying his master, he
accommodates himself to his foibles, gains his con-
fidence, and then leads him by the nose. 'Tis thus
that I have behaved towards my director. I soon
discovered his hypocrisy, and perceived that he
wanted to pass for a person of great sancify : 1
pretended to be his dupe; that cost nothing. I did
more, I imitated him, and acting in his presence
the same farce that he played before others. I de-
ceived the deceiver, and am by degrees, become his
factotum. Under his auspices, 1 hope one day to
be concerned in the affairs of the poor ; in which
case I may chance to make my fortune too, for I
find myself as well inclined towards them as he can
be for his heart."

" These are fine hopes, (replied I) my dear Fa-
biicius: I congratulate thee upon thy prospect;
and for my own part, will have recourse to ray

106

GIL liLAS.

former scheme; convert my embroidered habit
into a cassock, repair to Salamanca, and listing
mjself under the banners of the university, per
form the office of a tutor." — " A fine project
ti ulj (cried Fabricius) ; an agreeable whim 1 what
a fool wouldst thou be, to turn pedant at thy age!
dost thou know, wretch ! what thou art about to
do? Soon as thou shalt be employed, the whole
family will have their eyes on thee, and all thy
actions will be scrupulously examined: thou must
be eternally under constraint, clothe thyself with
hypocrisy, and appear possessed of every virtue.
Thou wilt not have a moment to bestow upon thy
pleasures. Like a perpetual censor of thy pupil,
thou must pass the day in teaching him Latin, and
in rebuking him when he shall say or do any thing
amiss: and after so much labour and constraint,
what will be the fruit of thy cares ? If the little
gentleman wants capacity, it will be said, thou
hast not given him good education, and his pa-
rents will turn thee away, without any recompence;
perhaps, even without paying thy appointments.
Don't therefore talk to me of a preceptor's post,
which is like a benefice with cure of souls: but
commend me to the employment of a lacquey,
which is a simple benefice, encumbered with no
charge. When a master has vices, a superior
genius in his service will flatter them, and often
turn iliem to his advantage. A footman lives in
a good family without the least disquiet; for after

iiiL BLAS.

107

having eaten and drank his belly-full, he sleeps like
the son of a lord, and gives himself no trouble
about either baker or butcher.

*'^I should never have done, child (continued he)
was I to recount all the advantages of footmen.
Take my advice, Gil Bias, quit for ever, the design
of becoming tutor, and follow my example." —
" Yes ; but, Fabricius (said I) one does not always
meet with directors; and if I should resolve to
turn lacquey, I should at least choose to be well
settled." — " Oh ! you are in the right (said he),
that shall be my business : I \vill insure (hee a
good place, if it were for no other reason, than to
snatch a pretty fellow from the university."

The approaching misery with vvhicii I was
threatened, and the air of satisfaction that ap-
peared in Fabricius, persuading me more than his
reasons, I determined to go to service: whereupon
leaving the public house, my companion said, '' I
will conduct you to the house of a person, who is
consulted by almost all the footmen out of place :
he has spies, who inform him of \>hat happens in
all families ; he knows where servants are wanted,
and keeps an exact register, not only of the vacant
places, but even of the good and bad qualities of
masters ; he is one w ho was formerly a friar in
some convent or other; and, in short, 'twas he
who recommended me to the place I now enjoy,"

A^ hile we conversed about such a singular office
of intelligence, the son of barber Nunuez carried

108 GIL BLAS.

me into a blind alley, and we entered a little house,
where we found a man about fifty years old, writ-
ing at a table. We saluted hirn very respectfully ;
but whether he was naturally proud, or accus-
tomed to see lacqueys and coachmen only, he had
contracted an habit of receiving people cavalierly,
and did not rise from his seat, but contented him-
self with making a slight inclination of the head.
lie looked hard at me, however, and I could
easily perceive he was very much surprised that a
young man dressed in embroidered velvet should
want to turn valet ; he had more reason to think
I was come to be provided with one ; but he did
not continue long in suspence, with regard to my
intention ; for Fabricius, accosting him at once,
said, '' Signor Arias de Londonna, give me leave
to present one of my best friends to you : he is a
young man of a good family, whom misfortunes
have reduced to the necessity of going to service.
Pray inform him of a good place, and depend
upon his gratitude."— Gentlemen (answered Arias
coldly) this is the manner of you all: before you
are fixed, you make the finest promises in the
world ; but when once you are well settled, you
think no more of them." " How! (replied Fabri-
cius) do you complain of me ? have not I done
honourably by you?" — ''You might have done
better still (said Arias), your place is worth a
clerk's employment ; and you have paid me as if I
had introduced you to the house of an author,"

GIL r.LAS. IO*J

Here 1 interposed, and told Signor Arias, tijat, io
shew him I was not ungrateful, my acknowledg-
ment should precede his service ; at the same time,
taking out two ducats, I put them into his hand,
with a promise that I should not stop there, pro-
vided I should find myself in a good family.

He seemed pleased with my behaviour, and said
be loved to be treated in that manner ; — " There
are (continued he) excellent posts vacant, which I
will mention in order, that you may cht)ose one
that is to your liking." So saying, he put on his
spectacles, opened a register which lay on the
table, turned over some leaves, and began to read
as follows : '' A lacquey is wanted for Captain
Torbellino, a passionate, cruel, whimsical man,
who grumbles incessantly, swears, beats, and com-
monly maims his servants." — " Let us pass on to
the other (cried I, at that picture) that captain is
not to my taste." Arias smiled at my vivacity,
and proceeded in this manner: " Donna Ma-
nuela of Sandoval, a superannuated widow, full of
peevishness and caprice, has, at present, never a
footman ; she keeps but one for ordinary, and him
never a whole day. There has been one livery
suit in the house these ten years, which serves all
valets who enter, of what size and shape soever
they may be : but it may be said they only try it
on ; for it is still as good as new, although it has
been worn by two thousand lac((uies. Doctor '
Alvar Fannez, a physifiaii and chemist, wants a

110

GIL BLASc

servant ; his domestics are well fed, handsomely
entertainedj and liavCj moreover, great wages; but
he tries experiments upon them with his medicines,
and there are often vacant places in his house."

" Oh ! I believe it (cried Fabricius, laughing)
upon my conscience jou shew us abundance of
fine places." — '' Have patience, (said Arias de
Londonna) we have not yet done ; there are some
that I am sure will please you.'* Then he con-
tinued to read in these terms : /' Donna Alfonsa
de Solis, an old devotee, who spends two thirds of
the day at church, and insists upon her footman
being always along with her, has not had a lacquey
these three weeks. The licentiate Sedillo, an old
canor of the chapter of this city, yesterday, in
the evening, turned away his footman." — 'VHalt
there, Signor Arias de Londonna (cried Fabricius,
in this place) we will stick to this last post. The
licentiate Sedillo is one of my master's friends,
with whom I am perfectly well acquainted : I
know that he has for housekeeper an old devotee
called Dame Jacinta, who disposes of every thing
in the houac : it is one of the best families in Val-
ladolid, for a servant who loves a quiet life and
good cheer : besides, the canon is old and infirm,
very much subject to the gout, and will soon make
his will ; so that there is room to hope for a good
legacy. What a charming prospect for a footman !
Gil Bias (added he, turning towards me) let us '
lose no time my lad, but go instantly to the house

GIL liLAS. Ill

of the licentiate, where I will myself present you,
and answer for thy character." At these words,
for fear of losing such a fair opportunity, we took
our leave, in a hurry, of Signor Arias, who assured
me for my money, that if I should be baulked of
this place, I might depend upon his recommending
roe to one as good.

THE END OF THE FIRST BOOK.

GIL B L A S

SANTILLANE,

BOOK II

CHAP. I.

Fah'idus conducts Gil Bias, and introduces
him to the licentiate Sedillo ; the situation of
this canon ; a description of his housekeeper.

fV E were so much afraid of coming too late, that
we made but one leap from the alley to the house
of the old licentiate. We knocked at the door,
which was opened by a girl ten years old, who
passed for the housekeeper's niece, in spite of
scandal ; and asking if the canon could be spoke
with, Dame Jacinta appeared : she was a person
already arrived at the age of discretion, but still
handsome; and in particular, I admired the fresh-
ness of her complexion. She wore a long gown
of coarse stufl", with a large leathern girdle, from
one side of which hung a bunch of keys, and from

GIL BLAS. 113

the other a rosary of great beads. As soon as we
perceived her we bowed, with profound respect,
and she retiirnetl (he salute very civilly, but with
a modest deport ment and downcast eyes.

" Having understood (said my comrade to her)
that master licentiate Sedillo has occasion for an
honest valet, I am come to present one, with
whom, I hope, he will be satisfied." The house-
keeper, at these words, lifting her eyes, surveyed
me with attention, and, not being able to reconcile
my embroidery with the discourse of Fabricius,
asked if it was I who wanted the vacant place.
*' Yes (said the son of Nunnez) it is this young
man, who, notwithstanding his appearance, has
met with misfortunes that oblige him to go to
service. But he will soon forget his mishaps
(added he, with an insinuating air) if he has the
happiness to come into this family, and live with
the virtuous Jacinta, who deserves to be house-
keeper to the patriarch of the Indies." At these
words, this pious governante moved her eyes from
me, to consider the polite person who spoke, and
struck with his features, which were not altogether
unknown to her, " 1 have (said she) a confused
notion of having seen you somewhere ! pray assist
my recollection."- Chaste Jacinta (answered Fa-
bricius) 1 am proud of having attracted your
notice: I have been twice in this Louse with my
master Signor Manuel Ordonnez, director of the
hospital." — ''Ha! you're in the right (replied the

VOL. I. I

114 ulL BLAS.

housekeeper) ; I reaiember it very well, and recol-
lect your face. Ah ! since you belong to Signor
Ordonnez, you must be a lad of worth and honesty:
your place proclaims your virtue^ and this young
man could not have a better recomniendatione
Come (added she) I will bring you to speak with
Signor Sedillo, who I believe will be very glad to
to have a servant of your presenting."

We followed her accordingly. The canon
lodged on the ground floor, which consisted of
four rooms well wainscotted ; in one of which she
desired us to wait a little^, while she went into the
next, where the licentiate was. After she had
staid with him some time in order to give him his
cue, she came and told us, that we might go in.
We perceived the old goutified canon, buried as
it were in an elbow chair, with pillows under his
head and arms, and his legs supported on a large
down cushion. While we approached him, we did
not spare bows : and Fabricius being still spokes-
man, not only repeated what he had said of me to
the housekeeper, but likewise extolled my merit,
and enlarged chiefly on the honour which I had
acquired in philosophical disputes, while I was
with Doctor Godinez ; as if it were necessary that
a canon's footman should be a profound philoso-
pher. Nevertheless this fine eulogium that he
bestowed on me, did not fail to cast a mist before
the eyes of the licentiate, who observing besides,
that I was not disagreeable to Dame Jacinta, said

GIL BLAS.

115

to my recoraiiiender, " Friend, I take into my
service the young man whom thou hast brought.
I am satisfied, and conceive a favourable opinion
of his morals, since he is presented by a domestic
of my good friend Signor Ordonnez."

As soon as Fabricius saw that I was engaged, he
made a low bow to the canon, another still lower
to the governante, and withdrew very well satis-
fied, after having whispered to me that we should
see one another often, and that I iiad nothing to
do but to stay where I was. — W hen he was gone,
the licentiate asked my name, and reasons for leav-
ing my native country ; and by these questions
engaged me, in presence of Dame Jacinta, to
recount my story. They were both very much
diverted, especially with the account of n»y last
adventure, Camilla and Don Raphael tickling
them so much, that it was like to have cost the
old canon his life ; for while he laughed with all
his force, he was seized with such a violent fit of
coughing, that I imagined it would have been his
last. As he had not vet made his will, you may
easily guess how his housekeeper was alarmed :
trembling and astonished she ran to the assistance
of the good man, rubbed his forehead, and clapped
him on the back, as is practised with children
when they have the chin-cough. However, this
was but a false alarm : the old man ceased to
rough, and his governante to torment him ; and I
would ha>e finished my story, had not Dame

116 GIL BLAS.

Jacinta, who dreaded another fit, opposed it, and
carried me out of the canon's chamber into a
wardrobe, where, among several suits of clothes^
was that of my predecessor. This she made me
put on, and leave my own in its room, which I was
not sorry to preserve, in hopes that it would still
be of use to me ; after which w^e went to prepare
dinner.

I was not a novice in the art of dressing victuals^
having served a happy apprenticeship under Dame
Leonarda, who might have passed for a good cook:
she was not, however, comparable to Dame Ja-
cinta, who, for ought I know, would have gained
the palm from the cook of the archbishop of Toledo.
She excelled in every thing •. her soups were ex-
quisite, on account of her art in choosing and
mixing the different kinds of gravy, of which they
were composed ; and her hashes were seasoned in
such a manner, as rendered them extremely agree-
able to the palate. — ^'^ hen dinner was ready, we
returned into the canon's chamber, where, while I
laid the cloth oa a table set just by his elbow
chair, the housekeeper tucked a napkin under the
old man's chin, and tied it over his shoulders. In
a moment after I brought a mess of porridge, that
might have been presented to the most celebrated
director of Madrid ; and two courses, which would
have stimulated the sensuality of a viceroy, had
not Dame Jacinta been spi'.ring of her spices for
fear of inflaming the gout of the licentiate. — At

GIL BLAS.

117

sight of these delicate dishes, my old master, whom
I believed impotent in all his members, shewed me
that he h.id not as yet lost entirely the use of his
arms: he helped to disencumber himself of his
pillows, and cheerfully prepared himself for eating;.
— Though his hand shook, it did not refuse its
service, but went and came with great expedition;
in such a manner, however, that it spilt upon the
table-cloth and Jiapkin one half of what was in-
tended for his mouth. — I took away the soup when
he had done with it, and bronglit in a roasted
partridge, flanked with two quails, which Dame
Jacinta carved for him. — She took care also to
make him drink frequently large draug;hts of wine,
a little diluted in a large and deep silver cup,
which she held to his mouth, as if he had been a
child of fifteen months. ' He fell tooth and nail
upon his course, and did no less honour to the
birds than he had done to the porridge ; but when
he had stuffed himself to the tongue, the devotee
untied his napkin, replaced his pillows, and left
him in quiet to take his afternoon's nap in his
chair ; while we, having uncovered the table, went
to dinner in our turn.

In this manner did our canon dine every day,
who for ought I know, was the greatest glutton of
the whole chapter : though his supper was com-
monly more slight, consisting, for the most part,
of a pullet and some conserves. I fed well in this
bouse, and lived a very peaceable life, having ooly

I 18 iilh BLAS.

one grievance, which \va? no other than being
obliged to watch my master, and pass the whole
night like a nurse. — Besides a retention of urine,
that obliged him to ask for his chamber-pot ten
times in an hour, he was subject to profuse sweats ;
and when this happened, it was my business to
shift him. '' Gil Bias (said he, the second night)
thou hast activity and address ; and I foresee that
I shall be ver} well pleased with thy service. — I
recommend to thee above all things to behave thy-
self respectfully towards Dame Jacinta ; she is a
wench who has served me these fifteen years with
a singular zeal, and takes such care of my person,
that I can never enough shew my gratitude ;
wherefore I own she is more dear to me than all
n)y relations. For the love of her 1 have turned
out of doors my nephew, my own sister's son, who
paid no respect to the poor girl ; and, far from
doing justice to the sincere attachment she has for
me, the insolent boy treated her as an hypocrite ;
for in fliisage all virtue appears hypocrisy to young
people. — Thank heaven ! I have got rid of the
scoundrel : I prefer the love that is manifested for
me to all the ties of blood, and am swayed only by
the benefits I receive."^—'' You are in the right.
Sir (said I to the licentiate) : gratitude ought to
have more weight with us than the laws of nature."
— " Doubtless (he replied) and people will see by
my last will, that I have no regard for my relations.
My housekeeper will have a good share, and

(.IL BLAS.

19

thou shalt not be forgot, provided that thou goest
on to serve me as thou hast begun. The footman
whom I turned away yesterday has lost a good
legacy by his own folly ; if that paltry fellow had
not, by his misbehaviour, obliged me to dismigs
hin>, I would have mad(^ his fortune ; but he was
a proud coxcomb, who was deficient in his respect
for Dame Jacinta; and an idle rascal, who dreaded
the smallest trouble. — He, forsooth, did not love
to watch over me, and looked upon it as a great
fatigue to spend the night in contributing to my
ease." — *' Ah^ the wretch ! (cried 1, as if the
genius of my friend had inspired me) he was not
worthy of living with such an honourable njaster !
A lad who has the happiness of appertaining unto
you, ought to be indefatigable in his zeal : he
ought to make a pleasure of his duty, and not to
think himself fatigued even when he sweats blood
and water for your service."

1 perceived that these words were very agree-
able to the licentiate, who was no less satisfied
with the assurance 1 gave him of being always
perfectly resigned to the will of Dame Jacinta.
Willing therefore to pass for a valet whom fatigue
could not dispirit, I did my duty with the best
grace I could assume, and never complained of
being up all night ; a circumstance which, how-
ever, I found very disagreeable ; and, had it not
been for the legacy with which I fed my hopes, 1
should have been very soon disgusted with my con-

120 »tilL BLAS.

dition. — Indeed 1 slept some hours in the day-time;
and the governante, to do licr justice, had a good
^eal of regard for sue. — This must be ascribed lo
the care I took in gaining ber good iriaccs, by the
most complaisant and respc'ctful bebaMom ; when
I was at table with her and her niece, whose name
was Inesilla, I shifted their plates, filled uine, and
&crvcd them with a most particular attention ; by
which means I insinuated myself into thru- friend-
ship. One day, while Dame Jacinta was oone out
to market, seeing myself alone v\ilh Inesilla, I
began to converse with her, and asked if her father
and mother were still alive. '' O ! not at all
(answered she) they are dead long — long ago, —
my good aunt told me so. As for my own part, I
oever saw them/' I sincerely believed the little
girl, though her answer was not categorical ; and
put her into such a humour of talking, that she
told me more of the matter than I wanted to know.
She informed me, or rather I gathered from her
artless chat, that her good aunt had a very good
friend, who lived likewise with an old canon,
whose temporalities he managed ; and that these
happy domestics expected to join the pillage of
their masters by a marriage, the sweets of which
they tasted before-hand. I have already observed^
that Dame Jacinta, though somewhat superan-
nuated, had still a freshness of complexion. True
indeed, she spared nothing to preserve it ; for,
besides a clyster which she took every raorningj

GIL BLAS.

121

she s\tallo\vcd during the day, and when slie went
to bed, some excellent jellies of her own compos-
ing, and slept soundly all night, while I watched
my master: but that which, perhaps, contributed
more than anv thing to preserve her colour from
fading was an issue, which Inesilla told me she
had in each leg.

CHAP. II.

/?/ what manner the canon was treated when he
fell side ; the consequence ofit; and the legacy
which he left to Gil Bias.

J SERVED the licentiate Sedillo three months
without complaining of the bad nights he made
me pass ; at the end of which time he fell sick ot
a fever, and felt his gout increased by (he pain
which it occasioned ; so that, for the tirst time in
his life, which bad been long, he had rtcourse to
physicians, and sent for Doctor Sangra(l<» whom
all Valladolid looked upon as another Hi|)p<'crates.
Dame Jacinta would have been better pleased, if
the canon had begun by making his will, and even
dropped some hints on the subject ; but, besides
that he did not believe himself near his end, io
some certain things he was extremely obstinate :
I therefore went in search of Dr. Sangrado, and

]S2 CIL BLAS.

brought him to the house. He was a tail, meagre,
pale man, who had kept the shears of Clotho em-
ployed during forty years at least. — This learned
physician had a very solemn appearance, weighed
his discourse, and gave an emphasis to his expres-
sions ; his reasoning was geometrical, and his
opinions extremely singular.

After having examined the symptoms of my
master's disease, he said to him with a very phy-
sical air, *' The business here is to supply the de-
fect of perspiration, which is obstructed : others,
in my place, would doubtless prescribe saline
draughts, diuretics, diaphoretics, and such medi-
cines as abound with mercury and sulphur ; but
cathartics and sudorifics are pernicious drugs, and
all the preparations of chymistry are only calcu-
lated to do mischief: for ray own part, I practise
a n)ethod more simple, and more sure. — Pray,
what is your ordinary diet.?"—'' My usual food
(replied the canon) is broth and juicy meat." —
" Broth and juicy meat! (cried the doctor, sur-
j)rised) trulj', I do not wonder to find you sick :
such delicious victuals are poisoned pleasures, and
snares that luxury spreads for mankind, in order to
ruin them the more eflectually. You must re-
nounce all palatable food : the most salutary is
that which is the most insipid ; for as the blood is
insipid, it requires such victuals as partake the
most of its own nature.— And do you driuk wine ?"
(added he).—*' Yes (said the licentiate) wine

CIL BLAS. 123

diluted." — " O ! diluted as much as jou please
(replied the physician) : what an irregularity is
here? what a frightful regimen! you ought to
have been dead long ago. How old are you pray ?"
— *' I am going h.io my sixty-ninth year" (replied
the canon). — " Right (said the physician) ; an
early old age is always the fruit of inteniperance.
If you had drank nothing else than pure water all
your life, and had been satisfied with simple
nourishment, such as boiled apples for example,
you would not now be tormented with the gout,
and all your limbs would perform their functions
with ease. I do not despair, however, of setting
you to rights again, provided you be wholly re-
signed to my directions."

The licentiate having promised to obey him in
all things, Sangrado sent lue for a surgeon, whom
he named, and ordered him to take from my
master six good porringers of blood, as the first
efl'ort, in order to supply the want of perspiration.
Then he said to the surgeon. Master Martin Om-
nez, return in three hours, and take as much more:
and repeat the same cvacuatioEi to-morrow. It is
a gross error to think that blood is necessary for
the preservation of life: a patient cannot be
blooded too much ; for as he is obliged to perform
no considerable motion or exercise, but just only
to breathe, he has no more occasion for blood than
a man who is asleep ; life, in both, consisting in the
pulse and respiration only." The doctor having

124 GIL BLA3.

ordered frequent and copious evacuations of this
kind, he told us that we must make the canon
drink warm water incessantly ; assuring us that
water drank in abundance, was the true specific
in all distenipers whatever. And when he went
away, he told Dame Jaciiita and me with an air of
confidence, that he would answer for his patient's
life, provided we would treat him in the manner
lie had prescribed. The governante^ who possibly
thought otherwise of tliis method^ protested that
it should be followed with the utmost exactness.
Accordingly we set about warming water with all
dispatch ; and as the physician had recommended
to us, above all things, not to be too sparing of it,
we made my master drink for the first dose two or
three pints, at as niany draughts. An hour after
we repeated it, and returning to the charge, from
time to time, overwhelmed his stomach with a
deluge of water : the surgeon seconding us, on
the other hand, by the quantity of blood which he
drew from him, in less than two days the old
canon was reduced to extremity.

This good priest, being quite spent, said to me
with a feeble voice, as I presented him with a large
glass of the specific, " Hold, Gil Bias, give me no
more of it, my friend : I see plainly that I must
die, in spite of the virtues of water ; and though
there is scarce a drop of blood left in my body,
I don't find myself a whit the better ; which is a
plain proof, that the most expert physician in the

(.IL CLAS.

125

world cannot prolong our days, when their fatal
period is arrived : go therefore and fetch a notary,
for I want to make my will." At these last words,
which I was not sorry to hear, I affected to seem
melancholy, and concealing the desire I had to
execute his commission, " Well, but. Sir (said I)
you are not yet so low, thank God, but that you
may recover." — " No, no, child (replied he) it is
all over with me. I feel the gout mounting up-
wards, and death approaching. Make haste there-
fore, and do as I bid thee." I perceived, sure
enough, that he changed visibly, and the affair
appeared so urgent, that I went out as fast as pos-
sible, to fulfil his orders; leaving with him Dame
Juciiita, who was more afraid than I that he would
die intestate. I went into the house of the first
notary I was directed to, and finding him at home,
"Sir, (said I) the licentiate Sedillo, my master,
draws towards his end, and wants to have his last
will made ; so that there is not a moment to lose."
The notary, who was a brisk old man, and took
delight in rallying, asked what physician attended
the canon ; I answered. Doctor Sangrado. — At
that name, seizing his hat and cloke in a hurry,
*' Zooks ! (cried he) let us make haste ; for the
doctor is so expeditions that he seldom gives his
patients time to send for notaries ; that man has
choused me out of a great many jobs."

So Selling, he followed me with great eagerness,
aiid while we walked together at a good pace,

126 GIL BLAS.

that we might arrive before he should be at the
last gasp, '' Sir, (said I to him) you know that a
testator at the point of death is apt to forget things :
now, if my liiaster should not remember me, I beg
you will remind him of my zeal and attachment/'
— " That I will, my child, (replied the little no-
tary) thou mayest depend upon me for that. I
will even advise him to give thee something con-
siderable, let him be never so little disposed to
reward thy service." The licentiate, when we
came into his chamber, had still the use of his
senses, and Dame Jacinta, who was with him, her
visage bathed in tears, which she had at command,
had played her part, and bespoke the good man's
benevolence. So that she and I left the notary
alone with him, and went into the anti-chamber,
where, meeting the surgeon whom the doctor had
sent to make one evacuation more, we stopped
him. " Hold, Mr. Martin, (said the governante)
you cannot go into Signer Sedillo's chamber at
present ; he is dictating his last will to a notary
who is with him ; when that is done, you shall
have leave to do your office."

This pious gentlewoman and I were much afraid
that the licentiate would die before his will could
be finished : but happily for us, the deed that oc-
casioned our disquiet was executed : and the notary
finding me in his way as he came out, clapped me
on the shoulder, saying, with a smile, " Gil Bias
jsnot forgotten." These words inspired me with

GIL BLAS. 127

excessive joy ; aud I thought myself so much
obliged to my master for having remembered me,
that I promised to pray with all my heart for his
soul, after his death, which soon happened ; for
the surgeon having blooded him again, the poor
old man, who was but too much exhausted before,
expired almost during the operation. As he
breathed his last sighs, the physician came in, aud
looked very foolishly, notwithstanding his long
practice of dispatching patients. Nevertheless,
far from imputing the canon's death to his watery
draughts and evacuations, he observed, as he went
out, with an air of indifference, that the patient had
not lost blood enough, nor drank a sufficient quan-
tity of warm water ; while the executioner of this
sublime art, I mean the surgeon, seeing also that
there was no more occasion for his office, followed
Doctor Sangrado.

As soon as the breath went out of our patron's
body, Dame Jacinta, Incsilla, and I, raised a con-
cert of mournful cries which were heard all over
the neighbourhood : the governante especially,
who had the greatest cause to rejoice, uttered such
doleful accents, that one would have thought she
was the most afflicted person upon earth ; and the
chamber was instantly filled with people drawn
thither more by curiosity than compassion. The
relations of the deceased no sooner learned the news
of his death than they poured into the house, to
ieal up every thing, and found the housekeeper in

128 GIL BLAS.

such affliction, that thej imagined at first the
canon had not made his will : but they soon un-
derstood that there was one sanctioned by all the
usual formalities ; which when they came to open,
and saw that the testator had disposed of his best
eflfects in favour of Dame Jacinta and the little
girl, they made his funeral speech in terms not
much to the honour of his memory. They pro-
nounced an eulogium on the devotee, at the same
time, and even bestowed some praises on me, who,
I must own, deserved some at their hands : for the
licentiate (rest his soul !) in order to make me
remember him as long as I should live, explained
himself in an article of his will, with regard to me,
in this manner : — " Item, as Gil Bias is a young
man of some understanding already, in order to
complete his learning, I leave to him my library,
all my books and manuscripts without exception."
I could not conceive where this pretended library
could be, having never perceived any such thing
in the house. I knew only of a few papers, with
five or six volumes that stood upon a shelf in my
master's closet ; and these were my legacy; though
the books could not be of any great service to me,
one being entitled. The Complete Housewife;
another treated of. Indigestion and the Method of
Cure ; the rest were. The four Parts of the Bre-
viary, which the moths had almost consumed.
With regard to the manuscripts the most curious
contained all the proceedings of a law-suit in

GIL BLAS.

129

which he was once engaged for his prebend. After
having examined the legacy with more attention
than it deserved, I left it to the relations who
en\icd inc so much. 1 gave them back the very
clothes I wore, and resumed \:\\ own ; claiming
my wages only, as the fruit of my service^ and re-
solving to seek a place elsewhere. As for Duma
Jacinta, besides the money which was left lO her,
she was in possession of some valuable efiects,
which, by the assistance of her good friend, she
had found means to secrete during the licentiate's
last illness.

CHAP. HI.

Gil Bias engages himself in the service of Doctor / C

Sangrado, and becomes a celebrated physician.

1 RESOLVED to visit Siguor Arias de Londonna,
and consult his register for a new place ; but as I
was just going into the blind alley where he lived,
I met Doctor Sangrado, whom I had not seen
since the death of my master, and took tlie freedom
to salute him. He recollected me immediately,
although I had changed my dress, and expressing
some joy at seeing me, " Art thou there, my child
(said he) I was just thinking of thee ; having oc-
casion for a good lad to serve me, I imagined that
thou wouldst answer n\\ purpose very well ; if

VOL. I. K

130 GIL BLA3.

thou canst read and write."—" Sir, (answered I) in
that particular I can do your business." — '^ Sav'st
thou so (said he) ; then thou art the man I want :
conne to my house^ where thou shalt find every
thing agreeable : I will treat thee with distinction ;
and though I give no wages, thou shalt want for
nothing ; I will take care to maintain thee hand-
somely ; and will even discover to thee the great
mystery of curing all diseases: in a word, thou
shalt rather be my pupil than my servant."

I accepted the doctor's proposal, in hopes of
making myself illustrious in physic, under the
auspices of such a learned master ; and he carried
me home with him on the instant, in order to
initiate me in the employment for which I was
designed. This employment consisted in writing
the names and places of abode of the patients who
sent for him while he was abroad : for this purpose,
there was in the house a register, in which an old
woman, who was his sole domestic, set down their
several directions ; but besides that she was utterly
ignorant of spelling, she wrote so ill that for the
most part it was impossible to decypher her scrawl.
I was invested with the charge of this book, which
might have been with great justice stiled a register
of the dead ; for almost all the people whose names
it contained gave up the ghost. I inserted in it
(to use the expression) the names of those people
who were to set out for the other world, as the
clerk of a stage-coach-office registers those who

GIL BLAS. 131

take places. The pen \vas seldom out of mj'hand,
because there was not at that tioe a physician in
Valladolid of more credit than Doctor Sangrado,
who had acquired great reputation with the public,
by a pomp of words, a solemn air, and some lucky
cures, which had done him more honour than he
deserved.

He did not want practice, nor of consequence
money, which, however, did not make us fare the
better, his housekeeping being extremely parsimo-
nious ; our ordinary food consisting of peas^ beans,
boiled codlins, or cheese; which aliments (he said)
■were agreeable to the stomach, as being most
proper for trituration, in other words, easily brayed.
Notwithstanding this his opinion, however, he did
not approve of our eating a belly-full even of them :
in which, to be sure, he was much in the right :
but, if he forbid his maid and me to eat a great
deal, he allowed us, by way of recompence, to
drink as much water as we could swallow : far
from restricting us in this particular, he would
sometimes say, " Drink, my children, health con-
sists in the suppleness and humectation of the
parts : drink water in great abundance : it is an
uniyersal menstruum that dissolves all kinds of salt.
When the course of the blood is too languid, this
accelerates its motion : and when too rapid, checks
its impetuosity." The honest doctor was so well
convinced of the truth of this doctrine, that he
biraself drank nothing but water, though he was

132 GIL BLA8.

well stricken in vears. He defined (Ad age, a
natural decay, that withers and consumes us ; and
in consequence of this definition, deplored the
ignorance of those who call wine '^'^the milk of old
men:" for he maintained that the juice of the
grape wastes and destroys them ; and with great
eloquence observed, that this fatal liquor is to
them, as to all the world, a treacherous friend and
deceitful pleasure.

In spite of all this fine reasoning, I had not been
eight days in the house when I was seized with a
looseness, and began to feel great disorder in my
bowels, which I was rash enough to ascribe to the
universal dissolvent and meagre subsistence on
which I lived. I complained of it to my master,
in hopes that he would relent and allow me a
little wine at meals : but he was too much an
enemy to that liquor to gratify my expectation.
" If thou feelest in thyself (said he to me) any re-
luctance to simple element, there are innocent aids
in plenty, that will support thy stomach against
the insipid taste of water ; sage, for example, and
balm will give it an admirable flavour ; and an in-
fusion of corn-poppy, gillyflower, and rosemary,
will render it still more delicious.

Notwithstanding all he could say in praise of
water and the excellent beverages he taught me to
compose, I drank of it with such moderation, that
perceiving my temperance, he said, '^ Why, truly,
Gil Bias, I am not at all surprised that thou dost

filL BLAS. 133

not enjoy good health. Thou dost not drink
enough, my friend. Water taken in small quan-
tities serves only to disentangle the particles of the
bile, and give them more activity ; whcicas they
should be drowned in a C( pious dilution : don't be
afraid, my child, that abundance of ^vater will
weaken and relax thy stomach : lay aside that panic
fear which perhaps thou entertainest of plentiful
drinking. I will warrant the consequence, and
if thou dost not look upon me as a sufficient
bondsman, Celsus himself shall be thy security.
That Roman oracle bestows an admirable eulogium
on water, and iiftcrvvards says, in express terms,
that those who excuse their drinking of wine, on
account of a weak stomach, do a manifest injury
to that organ, by using such a cloke for their own
sensuality."

As it would not have looked well for me to
shew myself intractable in the very beginning of
my career in physic ; I seemed persuaded of his
being in the right, and will even own I was effec-
tually convinced ; so that I continued to drink
water on the guarantee of Celsus, or rather to
drown my bile in copious draughts of that liquor ;
and although I felt myself every day more and
more incommoded by it, prejudice got the better
of experience ; so happily was I disposed by nature
for becoming a physician. 1 could not always,
however, resist the violence of my disorder, which
increased to such a degree, that I resolved, at

134 GIL BLAS.

length, to leave Doctor Sangiado ; but he invested
rae with a new employment which made me change ..
that resolution. "^ Hark'ee^ my child, (said he one
day) I am not one of those harsh and ungrateful
masters who let their domestics grow grey in their
service, bcCpre they recompense them. I am well
pleased with thy behaviour, I have a regard for
the6, and without further delay will make thy
fortune. I will immediately disclose to thee the
whole extent of that salutary art which I have
professed so many years. Other physicians make
this consist in the knowledge of a thousand diffi-
cult sciences : but I intend to go a shorter way to
work, and spare thee the trouble of studying phar-
macy, anatomy, botany, and physic : know, my
friend, all that is required is to bleed the patients
and make them drink warm water. This is the
secret of curing nil the distempers incident to man.
Yes ! that wonderful secret which I reveal to thee,
and which nature, impenetrable to my brethren,
hath not been able to hide from njy researches, is
contained in these two points, of plentiful bleeding
and frequent draughts of water. I have nothing
more to impart ; thou knowest physic to the very
bottom, and reaping the fruit of my long experi-
ence, art become in a twinkling as skilful as
I am. Thou mayest (continued he) ease me not
a little, at present ; in the morning thou shalt
keep our register, and in the afternoon go and
visit a part of my patients : while I take care of

(.IL BLAS.

135

the nobility and clergy, tliou shalt go in my room
to .the houses of tradesmen, where I am called :
and when thou shalt have practised some time, I
will procure thy admission into the faculty. Thou
art learned, Gil Bias, before thou turnest phy-
sician ; whereas others prescribe a long time,
generally all their lives, without ever becoming
learned."

I thanked the doctor for having enabled me
with such dispatch to serve as his deputy ; and as
an acknowledgment of his favours^ assured him
that I would follow his maxims as long as I lived,
even if t!iey should be contrary to those of Hippo-
crates. But this assurance was not altogether
sincere ; for I disapproved of his opinion with
regard to water, and resolved to drink wine every
day, when I went out to visit my patients. I
committed my own clothes to a peg for a second
time, and put on a suit of my master's, that I
might appear in all respects like a physician :
after which, I prepared myself for exercising
medicine at the expense of whom it should con*
ccrn. My coup d'essai being upon an alguazil
who was ill of a pleurisy, I ordered him to be
blooded without mercy, and filled to the tongue
with water : I went afterwards into the house of
a pastry-cook who lay roaring with the gout, and
whose blood I was no more sparing of than the
alguazil's; taking care also not to restrict him in
the article of water. For these prescriptions I

136 GIL BLAS.

received twelve rials, which made me so ena-
moured of the profession^ that I thought '' the ^
more mischief the better sport. 'V Coming out of
ihe pastrj'-cook's house, I met Fabricius, whom I
had not seen since the death of the licentiate
Sedillo ; and who, having looked at me some
minutes with surprise, set his hands in his sides,
and burst out info an immoderate fit of laughter.
It was not without reason ; for having a cloke that
trailed on the ground, with a doublet and breeches
that would have served a man four times as big
as me, my figure was truly original. I let him
laugh till he was tired, not without being tempted
to follow his example; but I constrained myself
in order to preserve decorum, and the better ape
the physician, who is no risible animal. If my
ludicrous appearance had excited the mirth of
Fabricius, my gravity increased it ; and when he
had indulged it sufficiently, " Upon my con-
science, Gil Bias (said he) thou art pleasantly
equipped. Who the devil has disguised thee in
this manner ?" " Softly, friend (replied I) softly —
Learn to shew more respect for another Hippo-
crates ; and know, that I am the deputy of Doc-
tor Sangrado, the most celebrated physician of
Valladolid, with whom I have lived these three
weeks. He has taught me physic to the very
bottom, and as he cannot, in person, attend all
the sick who send for hinj, I assist him in his
visitation : he takes care of ihe great, and I of the

GIL BLAS. 137

plebeians." — " Very well, (replied Fabricius) he
leaves the blood of the commonalty to thee, ^vhiie
he reserves that of the gentry to himself; I con-
gratulate thee upon thy share ; for it is better to
have to do with the pojiulace than with persons
of fashion : happy is a suburb physician ! his
faults are less observed^ and his assassinations less
known. Yes, my child (added he) thy situation
is to be envied/ and, to speak in the words of
Alexander, if I were uot Fabricius, I could wish to
be Gil Bias."

To shew tlie son of barber Nnnncz, that he had
reason to praise the happiness of my present con-
dition, I produced the rials which I had received
from the alguazil and pastry-cook ; upon which
we went into a public house in order to spend
some of them : here we were served with pretty
good wine, which the longing desire I had of
tasting that liquor, making me think still better
than it was, I drank huge draughts of it, and (no
disparagement to the Roman oracle) the more I
filled my stomach, the less did that organ com-
plain of the injury it received. Fabricius and I
having staid together a long time in the public-
house, and laughed heartily at the expense of our
masters, as the custom is among servants, we
parted in the twiliglit, after having made a mutual
promise of meeting again iu the same place, next
day in the afternoon.

V3S

GIL iJLAS.

CHAP. IV.

Gil Bias continues to act the physician with as
much success as capacity. The adventure of
the riusr retrieved.

'<b

1 HAD just got home when Doctor Sangrado came
in^ to ulioni I gave an account of the patients I had
visited^ and put into his hands eight rials which
remained of the twelve I had received for my pre-
scriptions. *' Eight rials ! (said he, after having
counted them) this is a small matter for two visits ;
but w'e must refuse nothing." So it appeared : for
he kept six, and gave me two. " Hold, Gil Bias,
(added he) there is something for thee to begin
stock ; I allow thee a fourth part of what thou
shalt get, and thou wilt be rich in a very short
time (my friend) for, please God, there will be
plenty of diseases this season."

I had reason to be contented with my share ;
because, resolving to detain always a third part of
what I should receive from the patients, and after-
wards touching a fourth of what should remain, it
would on the whole (if there be any truth in
arithmetic) amount to one half of what I should
earn. vThis consideration inspiring me with new
ardour for my profession, next day when I had
dined, I resumed my physical dress, and going out.

GIL BLA9. 139

visited several patients whom I had registered^ and
whom I treated after the same manner, tliougU
their distempers were quite diflerent. Ililherto
things had gone smoothly on, and nobody (thank
heaven) found fault with my prescriptions ; but
however excellent the practice of physic may be,
it cannot escape censure. Going into the house
of a grocer whose son was dropsical, I there met
with a little swarthy physician called Doctor Cu-
chillo, whom a relation of the grocer's had brought
along with him : I made profound bows to every
body present, and in particular, to the person who
(I concluded) was called to consult with me about
the distemper of the patient ; he saluted n.e with
great gravity, then eying me attentively for some
minutes, " Signor Doctor (said he) pray excuse my
curiosity : I thought I had been acquainted with
all my brethren the physicians of Valladolid : but
I confess your features are utterly unknown to me :
sure you must not have been long settled in this
city." I answered that 1 was a young practitioner,
who as yet only prescribed under the auspices of
Doctor Sangrado. '^ I congratulate you (said he,
bowing) on your having embraced the method of
such a great man ; and I do not doubt that you
are already master of your business, notwithstand-
ing your youthful appearance." He spoke this so
naturally, that I did not know whether he was in
jest or earnest, and I was thinking upon sonie an-
swer, when the grocer interposing, said, 'Gentle-

140

GIL BLAS.

nien^ I am persuaded that you are both perfectly
well acquainted with the art of physic, therefore,
pray examine the situation of my son^ and prescribe
what you shall judge proper for his cure."

Accordiiiglyj the little doctor inquired into the
sta(e of our patient, and after having made me
observe all the symptoais of the disease, asked in
what manner I proposed to treat him. " I am of
opinion (said I) that he should be blooded every
day, and drink hot water in abundance." At these
words the little physician said, with a satirical grin,
" And do you think these remedies will save his
life ?" " Never doubt that (cried I, in a resolute
tone) they must certainly produce that effect, being
(as Doctor Sangrado observes) specifics against all
kinds of distempers." " At that rate (replied he)
Celsus is very much to blame, in assuring us, that
for the more easy cure of a dropsy, it is requisite to
make the patient suffer both hunger and thirst." —
*' Oh, Celsus, (I resumed,) is not my oracle : he was
as liable to mistakes as any other ; and I have
sometisnes found my account in acting quite con-
trary to his opinion." — " I perceive by your dis-
course (said Cuchillo) the sure and satisfactory
method that Doctor Sangrado would insinuate into
young practitioners : the whole of his practice con-
sists in bleeding and aqueous draughts ; therefore
I am not at all surprised to see so many honest
people die under his hands." — " None of your in-
vectives (said I, interrupting him with some heat).

GIL BLAS. 141

it does not look well to hear a man of your pro-
fession cast such reflections. C-ome, come, Mr.
Doctor, abundance of sick people are sent to the
other world without being blooded, or drinking
hot water ; and I don't doubt thou you have dis-
missed your share of them : if you have anything
to say against Doctor Sangrado, comniit it (o paper,
he will answer it, and we shall soon see on which
side the laughers are." — '' By St. Jago and St.
Denis ! (cried he in a rage) you are little acquaint-
ed with Doctor Cuchillo ! Know, friend, that I
have both teeth and nails, and am ivot at all afraid
of Sangrado, who, in spite of his vanity and pre-
sumption, is a downright ninny." The appearance
of the little doctor making me despise his wrath, I
replied with great bitterness ; he answered in the
same manner, and we came to fisticuffs in a very
short time : some blows passed, and each of us lost
a handful of hair before the grocer and his kins-
man could part us ; which when they had accom-
plished, I was paid for my visit and dismissed,
while they retained my antagonist, who seemed to
them the more skilful of the two. ^ . ,^

After this adventure, I had like to have met
with another as bad : for going to visit a fat chanter,
who was ill of a fever, I no sooner mentioned hot
water, than he fell into a rage against the specific,
cursed and swore, called me a thousand names, and
even threatened to throw me out of the window,
1 moved oft" faster than I came in, aiul not chooiing

142

GIL BLAS.

to see any more patients that day, betook myself to
the house appointed for the rendezvous between
me and Fabricius, who was already there : and as
we found ourselves in a frolicsome humour, we
drank hard, and went home in a state of elevation —
that is, half-seas over.

Signor Sangrado did not observe that I was
drunk, because he mistook my extravagant gestures
in recounting the quarrel I had with the little
doctor, for an effect of the emotion occasioned by
the battle : besides, having been principally con-
cerned in our dispute, he became a party, and
piqued at Cuchillo, said, '' Thou hast done well,
Gil Bias, in defending the honour of our remedies
against that little abortion of the faculty. He
affirms then, that aqueous draughts are improper
for the dropsy ! Ignorant wretch ! I maintain —
I do — that a dropsical patient cannot drink too
much. Yes, water (added he) can cure all kinds
of dropsies, as well as rheumatisms, and the green
sickness ; it is moreover excellent in fevers where
the patient burns and shivers at the same time : and
of incredible effect even in those distempers that
are imputed to cold, serous, and phlegmatic
humours : this opinion may appear strange to such
raw physicians as Cuchillo ; but it is easily sup-
ported by theory and practice ; and if such as he
were capable of reasoning philosophically, instead
of decr}'ing my method, they would become my
most zealous partisans."

GIL RLAS. 143

He did not therefore suspect my being fuddled,
so much was he enraged ; for, in order to inflame
him the more against the little doctor, I had thrown
into my story some circumstances of my own in-
vention. Nevertheless, fired as he was with what
I had told him, he perceived that I drank more
water that evening than usual, the wine having
made me very thirsty. Any other than Sangrado
would have suspected my extraordinary drought,
and the great draughts I swallowed ; but he firmly
believed that I began to relish watery potions ;
and said, with a smile, " I see, Gil Bias, thou hast
no longer an aversion to water. Heaven be prais-
ed ! thou drinkest it now like nectar. A change
that does not surprise me at all, my friend ; for I
knew that it would soon grow familiar to thy taste."
— " Sir (I replied) there is a time for all things :
I would not at present give a pint of water for an
hogshead of wine." The doctor, charmed with
this answer, did not neglect such a fair opportunity
of extolling the excellence of water; but uttered
a new culogium on it, not like a cold advocate, but
with all the fervour of an enthusiast. '' A thousand
times (cried he) a thousand and ien thousand times
more valuable and innocent than the taverns of our
days were those baths of ages past, into which
people did not go to prostitute in a shameful man-
ner their lives and fortunes by glutting themselves
with wine ; but where people met for amusement,
and drank hot water with honour and security !

144 GIL BLAS.

One cannot enough admire the wise provision of
those masters of civil life, who established public
places where water was freely given to all comers,
and who secured the wiae in the shops of apothe-
caries, permitting it to be usedbj the prescriptions
of physicians only. What surprising sagacity !
It is doubtless (added he) owing to some lucky
resiiains of that ancient frugality, worthy of the
golden age, that there are still a few who, like thou
and I, drink nothing but water ; and who, as a
preservative from, or cure of all distempers, trust
lo hot water unboiled : for I have observed that
boiled water is more heavy and less agreeable to
the stomach,"

While he uttered this eloquent harangue, I had
like to have laughed in his face more than once : I
kept my gravity however, I did more. — I entered
into tlie doctor's sentiments, inveighed against the
use of wine, and lamented that mankind had con-
tracted a taste for such a pernicious liquor. Then
(as njy thirst was not sufficiently quenched) I filled
a large goblet with water, and having swallowed
long draughts of it, " Come, Sir (said I to my
master) let us regale ourselves with this benevolent
liquor, and revive in your house those ancient baths
which you regret so much." He applauded my
zeal, aud during a whole quarter of an hour, ex-
horted me to drink nothing but water. In order
to familiarise myself to this prescription, I promised
to sTvallow a great quantity every evening ; and

GIL BLAS. 145

that I might the iiiore easily perform my promise,
went to bed with a resolution of going to the
tavern every day.

The opposition I met with at the grocer's house
did not deter me from prescribing warm water and
bleeding, next day. As I came out of a house
where I had been to visit a frantic poet, I met an
old woman in the street, who accosting me, asked,
if I was a physician ? when I answered in the
affinuative, " Well then (said slie) I most humbly
b^ you will come along with me ; my niece was
yesterday taken ill, and I don't know what is the
matter with her." 1 followed (he old gentlewo-
man, who conducted me to a house, and itjtroduced
me to a pretty neat chamber^ where I found a per-
son in bed, and going towards her, in order to in-
quire into the symptoFiis of her disease, was imme-
diately struck with her features, which when I had
observed some minutes, I recollected her to be no
other than the female adventurer who had so dex-
terously acted the part of Camilla. As for her
part,^e did not seem to remember me ; whether
the oppression of her own distemper, or my phy-
sical garb, secured me from her recollection —
Laying hold of her arm, in order to feel the pulse,
I perceived the ring upon her finger ; at Mght of
which I felt a terrible emotion, and a violent desire
of attempting to retrieve it : but considering that
the women might fall a crying, and Don Raphael,
or seme other champion of the fair sex, come to

VOL. I. L

146 eiL BL&».

their assistance, I was at pains to resist the temp-
tation, and imagining it would be better to dis-
semble, and take the advice of Fabricius, stuck to
this last resolution. In the mean time the old
woman pressing me to let her know the nature of
her niece's distemper, I was not fool enough to
own myself ignorant of the matter ; but, on the
contrary, affecting the man of skill, and copying
my master's deportment, I told her, with great
gravity, that the distemper proceeded from the
patient's want of perspiration, and that, of conse-
quence, she must be speedily blooded, that evacu-
ation being the only substitute of perspiration : I
likewise prescribed warm water, that the rules of
our practice might be exactly observed.

Having made my visit as short as possible, I ran
to find the son of Nunnez, whom I met at the
door, going out to execute a commission for his
master : I told him my new adventure, asking, if
he thought I should cause Camilla to be arrested
in course of law ? He answered, " Not at all.
That is not the way io see thy ring again ; for the
officers of justice hate to make restitution. Re-
member the gaol of Astorga, where thy horse, mo-
ney, and even thy clothes were detained by these
harpies. We must rather make use of our own
industry in recovering thy jewel : I'll undertake
to find out some stratagem for that purpose, and
I will think of it in my way to the hospital, where
I carry a short message to the steward, from ray

GIL BLAB.

147

master : go and wait for me at our tavern, and be
not impatient, for I will be with thee in a very
little time."

He did not, however, arrive at the rendezvous,
till after I had been there three hours ; and then so
disguised, that at first I did not know him : for
he changed his dress, twisted his hair into a queue,
covered one half of his face with a pair of artificial
whiskers, provided himself with a huge sword, the
hilt of which was at least three feet in circumfe-
rence ; and marched at the head of five men who
looked as fierce as himself, and wore also long
rapiers and thick mustachios. " Your servant,
Signor Gil Bias (said he, accosting me) you see in
me an alguazil of a new stamp, and in these brave
fellows who accompany me, soldiers of the same
model. Shew us only the house of the woman
who stole your diamond, and be assured that we
will make her restore it in a twinkling." I em-
braced Fabricius at this discourse, which explain-
ed the stratagem he intended to put in practice in
ray behalf; and assured him that I very much
approved of his expedient. I saluted also the
false soldiers, who wc;e three valets, and two jour-
neymen barbers of his acquaintance, whom he had
engaged to act this part. Having treated the
whole brigade with wine, we went all together, in
the twilight, to Camilla's lodgings, and knocked
at the door, which the old woman opening, and
taking my attendants for the terriers of justice who

148

GIL BLAS.

never entered that house without cause^ was seized
with consternation. " Courage, good mother
(said Fahricius to her) we are come hither only on
account of a small affair that will soon he deter-
mined." So saying, we advanced to the chamber
of the sick person, conducted by the old woman,
who walked before, lighting us with a wax taper
in a silver candlestick. Taking the candle in my
hand, I went towards the bed, and discovering my
face to Camilla, '' Perfidious woman ! (said I)
behold the too credulous Gil Bias, whom you
have tricked. Ah, wretch! I have found you at
last, and the corregidor, in consequence of my in-
formation, has ordered this alguazil to apprehend
you. Conie, Mr. Tipstaff (said I to Fabricius), do
your office." — "• There is no occasion (answered
he, raising his voice) for exhorting me to do my
duty. I remember that there creature, who has
been a long time marked in my memorandum-book,
with red letters. Rise, my princess (added he),
dress yourself with all dispatch. I intend to be
your usher, and conduct you to the city gaol, if
you think well of it."

At these words, Camilla, sick as she was, per-
ceiving that two of his followers, with the great
whiskers, were about to drag her out by force, sat
up in her bed, clasped her hands in a suppliant
posture, and looking at me with terror in her eyes;
" Signor Gil Bias (said she), I conjure you by the
chaste mother who bore you, to have pity upon

GIL BL.AS. 149

me ! though I am very guilty, I am still more un-
fortunate! don't ruin me ! I will restore your ring."
So saying, slie took it off from her linger, and put
it into my hand. But I told her, my diamond
alone would not suffice: and that slie must, be-
sides, make restitution of the thousand ducats
which had been stolen from me in the furnished
lodging. " Oh, Signor ! (she replied) do not ask
your ducats of me; the traitor Don Raphael,
whom I have not seen since that time, carried them
off the same night." — '' Oho, my little darling
(said Fabricius to her) you think to get out of the
scrape, by denying you had any s'nare of the booty ?
but you shan't be so easily quit, I assure you :
your being an accomplice of Don Raphael is a
sufficient reason for obliging you to give an ac-
count of your past life. You have, doubtless, a
great many things on your conscience, and there-
fore you shall go to prison, if you please, and
make a general confession. I will carry this old
gentlewoman thither also (added he) for I imagine
she knows a great many curious stories which the
corrogidor will not be sorry to hear."

At these words the two women put every thing
in practice to melt us, filling the chamber with
cries, groans, and lamentations : while the old
woman on her knees, sometimes before thealguazil,
and sometimes before his attendants, endeavoured
to move their compassion ; Camilla implored me,
in the most affecting manner, to save her from the

150 6IL BLAS.

hands of justice. Upon which I pretended to
relent, sajing to the son of Nunnez, '* Mr. Offi-
cer, since I have got my diamond, I am satisfied.
I don't desire to give this poor woman any further
trouble ; and would not even seek the death of a
sinner." " For shame ! (said he) a man of your
humanity would make a bad trooper : but I must
acquit myself of my commission, by which I am
expressly ordered to apprehend these infantas : for
the corregidor wants to make an example of them."
" For heaven's sake (I replied) have some regard
to entreaty, and abate a little of your severity, in
consideration of the present which these ladies
will oflfer." " Oh ! that is another affair (said he);
that is what we call a figure of rhetoric well
placed. — Come, let us see what they have got to
give me." — " I have (said Camilla) a pearl-neck-
lace and ear-rings of a considerable value." Here
she was interrupted with — '' Yes, but if they come
from the Philippine isles, I'll have none of them."
— You may take them, upon my word, I'll war-
rant them genuine" (said she) ; at the same time
desiring the old woman to bring a little box, out
of which she took the necklace and ear-rings, and
put them into the alguazil's hand. Though he
knew no more of jewels than I did, he was per-
suaded that the diamonds of the ear-rings were
genuine, as well as the pearls of the necklace ;
therefore having examined them attentively, "These
jewels (said he) seem to be of good water, and

• IL BLAI. 151

provided the silver caudleitick, which Sigiior Gil
Bias has in his hand^ be added to them, I won't
answer for my fidelity." " I don't believe (said
I to Camilla) that you will for a trifle break oflf a
treaty so much to your advantage." So saying, I
gave the light to the old woman, and the candle-
stick to Fabricius, who, being satisfied with what
he had got, because (perhaps) he saw nothing else
in the room which he could easily carry off*, said
to the ladies, " Adieu, my princesses; live in
peace, I will speak to the corregidor, and represent
you whiter than snow ; for such as we can give
what turn we please to things, and never tell him
the plain truth, except when we are under no
temptation to lie."

CHAP. V.

The sequel of the ring retrieved. Gil Bias quits
the profession of physic, a?id makes his retreat
from ValladoUd.

A ITER having in this manner executed the scheme
of Fabricius, we left Camilla's lodgings, con-
gratulating ourselves upon a piece of success that
even surpassed our expectation ; for we had laid
our account with recovering the ring only. How-

152 GIL BLAS.

ever, we carried off the rest without ceremony ;
and, far from making a scruple of robbing cour-
tesans, we thought we had done a meritorious
action. — '' Gentlemen, (said Fabricius, when he
had got into the street) it is my opinion that we
should go back to the tavern, and spend the night
in making merry. To-morrow we will sell the
candlestick, necklace, and ear-rings, and share the
money like brothers ; after which we will return
to our several homes, and make the best excuse
we can to our masters." — This proposal of the
alguazil seemed very reasonable to us all : we re-
turned to the tavern, some of us believing we could
easily find an excuse for having lain abroad, and
others not caring whether they should be dismissed
or no.

We ordered a good supper, and sat down to
table with as much appetite as good humour.
The repast was seasoned with a thousand agreeable
sallies ; and Fabricius, in particular, enlivened the
conversation, and diverted us all extremely, by
innumerable strokes replete with Castilian salt,
which is equal at least to the ancient Attic. — But
while we were in this joyful disposition, our mirth
was all of a sudden overcast by an unforeseen
accident. A man of a pretty good mien entered
the room where we were at supper, followed by
two others of terrible aspect; after these three
more appeared : and we counted no less than
twelve who came in thus, three by three, armed

GIL BLA3. 153 •

with carbines, swords, and bayonets. — We soon
perceived them to be the soldiers of the patrole,
and it was not difficult to guess their intention ;
wherefore we had some thoughts at first of making
resistance; but they surrounded us in an instant,
and kept us in awe, as well by their numbers as
their fire-arms. — " Gentlemen (said their com-
mander to us, with a sneer), I know by what in-
genious artifice you have recovered a ring from the
hands of a certain she-adventurer ; and, to be sure,
the contrivance is excellent, and richly deserves a
public recompencc, which you sliall by no means
miss. — Justice has aiready appointed an apartment
for you in her own hou.se, and will not fail to re-
ward such a masterly attempt." This discourse
very much disconcerted all those to whom it was
addressed : our countenances changed, and we felt,
in our turn, the same fear with \\hic!i we had in-
spired Camilla. Fabricius, however, though pale
and dismayed, endeavoured to justify what we had
done: — '' Sir, (said he) as we had no bad intention,
this little trick might be forgiven." — '' How the
devil (cried the commandant in a rage) do you call
this a little trick .^ Don't you know that it is a
hanging matter } For besides that no man is al-
lowed to do justice himself without the cognizance
of the law, you have carried oflf a candlestick,
necklace, and car-rings that did not belong to you ;
and, which is still worse, in order to commit that
robbery, you have disguised yourselves like tip-

154 OIL BLAS,

staves. — Wretches ! to dress yourselves in the
habit of such honourable people to do mischief. I
shall think you very lucky, if you are only sentenced
to the galleys." When he had convinced us that
the affair was much more serious than we at first
imagined, we fell down together at his feet, and
begged he would have pity on our youth. But
our prayers were unregarded ; and besides, he re-
jected a proposal we made of quitting to him the
necklace, ear-rings, and candlestick ; even my ring
was refused, because I suppose it was offered before
too much company. — In short, he was quite in-
exorable ; ordered my companions to be disarmed,
and carried us all together to the public gaol. la
our way thither one of the guard told me, that the
old woman who lived with Camilla, suspecting
that we were not the real foot-pads of justice, had
followed us to the .tavern ; and there being con-
firmed in her opinion, had revenged herself upon
us, by informing the patrole of the whole affair.

We were immediately plundered of every thing ;
the necklace, diamonds, and candlestick seized ;
as also my ring, together with the ruby of the
Philippine isles, which I had unfortunately in my
pocket. They did not even spare the rials which
I had that day received for my prescriptions; which
was a sure sign to me that the people belonging to
justice at Valladolid arc as expert in their office as
those at Astorga, and that the manners of all these
gentlemen are every where alike. While I was

GIL BLAS,

155

rifled of my jewels and cash, the officer of the
patrole recounted our adventure to these agents of
the plunder ; and the afiair seemed to them of such
a serious nature, that the majority thought \\c de-
served a halter : but others less severe imagined we
might get off for two hundred lashes each, and a
few years service in the galleys. — Until the corre-
gidor should think proper to decide our affair, we
were locked up in a dungeon, where we lay upon
straw, with which it was strewed like a stable lit-
tered for horses. — Here we might have remained
long enough, and at last exchanged our habitation
for the galleys, had not Signor Manuel Ordonnez
next day heard of our misfortune, and resolved to
procure the liberty of Fabricius, which he could
not do without obtaining also the dismission of us
all. Being a man very much esteemed in the city,
he did not spare solicitations, and partly by his
own credit, and partly by that of his friends, at
the end of three days effected our enlargement.
But we did not come out as we had gone in ; the
candlestick, necklace, and ear-rings, my ring,
ruby, and rials being detained; which made me
remember those verses of Virgil that begin with
'• Sic vos non vobis."

As soon as we wTre set at liberty we returned to
our masters ; and Doctor Sangrado received me
very kindly, saying, " My poor Gil Bias I did not
hear of thy misfortune till this morning, and was
just going to make strong solicitations in thy be-

1

156 GIL BLAS.

half. Thou must console thyself, my friend, for
this accident, and attach thyself more than ever to
physic." — " That is my design" (said I). And
truly I thought of nothing else. Far from want-
ing business, it happened, as my master had fore-
told, that distempers were very rife, the small pox
and putrid fever beginning to ravage the city and
suburbs ; so that ail the physicians in Valladolid,
and we in particular, had abundance of practice;
— Scarce a day passed in which we did not visit
eight or ten patients each ; from whence it may
be easily conceived what a quantity of blood was
spilt and water drank. But, I do not know how
it happened, all our sick died either on account of
our mal'practice, or because their diseases were
incurable. — Certain it is, we very seldom had
occasion to make three visits to one patient : at
the second, we were either told that he was just
going to be buried, or found him at the last gasp ;
and, as I was but a young physician, who had not
yet time to be inured to murder, I began to be
very uneasy at the fatal events which might be
laid to my charge. — '' Sir (said I, one evening, to
Dr. Sangrado) I take heaven to witness that I
follow your method with the utmost exactness ;
yet, nevertheless, every one of my patients leaves
me in the lurch. It looks as if they took a plea-
sure in dying, merely to bring our practice into
discredit. This very day I met two of them going
to their long home." — '' Why truly, child (an-

GIL BLAS. 157

swered he) I have reason to make pretty much the
same observation : I have not often the satisfac-
tion of curing those who fall into my hands ; and
if I was not so sure as I am of the principles on
which I proceed, I should think niy remedies were
pernicious in almost all the cases that come under
my care." — '* If you will take my advice. Sir
(said I) we will change our method, and give
chemical preparations to our patients, through
curiosity ; the worst that can happen will only be,
that they produce the same effect that follows our
bleedings and warm water." — " I would willingly
make that experiment (he replied), provided it
could have no bad consequence ; but I have pub-
lished a book, in which I have extolled the use of
frequent bleeding and aqueous draughts: and
wouldst thou have mc go and decry my own !
work ?" — '' Oh ! you are certainly in the right
(said I), you must not give your enemies such a
triumph over you : they would say you are at last
disabused; and therefore ruin your reputation:
perish rather the nobility, clergy, and people !
and let us continue in our old path. After all,
our brother doctors, notwithstanding their aver-
sion for bleeding, perform as few miracles as we
do ; and I believe their drugs are no better than
our specifics." l^

We went to work, therefore, afresh, and pro-
ceeded in such a manner, that ia less than six
weeks we made more widows and orphan* than

158 GIL BLA8.

the siege of Troy. By the number of burials,
one would have thought that the plague was in
Valladolid ; and every day, some father came to
our house to demand an account of his son, whom
we had ravished from him, or some uncle, to up-
braid us with his nephew's death. As for the
sons and nephews, whose fathers and uncles we
had dispatched, they never appeared to complain :
the husbands too were very civil, and never ca-
villed with us about the loss of their wives. But
those afflicted people, whose reproaches we were
obliged to undergo, were sometimes very brutal
in their grief, and called us ignorant assassins.
Af they did not spare me, in particular, I was
afflicted by their epithets : but my master, who
was used to such accidents, heard them without
the least emotion. I might, perhaps, in time,
have been accustomed to reproach, as well as he,
if heaven, doubtless to rid the sick people in
Valladolid of one of their most severe scourges,
had not produced an occasion that gave me a
disgust to physic, which I practised with so little
success.

There was in our neighbourhood a tennis-court,
to which the idle people in town daily resorted,
and, among the rest, one of your professed bullies,
who take upon themselves the office of arbiters,
and decide all differences that happen. He was
from Biscay, his name Don Rodrigo de Mondra-
gon, about thirty years of age, of an ordinary

CIL BL&S. 150

make, but lean and muscular: he had two little
twinkling eyes, that rolled in his head, and threat-
ened every body he looked at ; a \'ery flat nose,
placed between red n> hiskers, that curled up to his
very temples, and a manner of speaking so rough
and passionate, that his words struck terror into
every body. This racket breaker had made himself
tyrant of the tennis-court, where he judged all the
disputes that happened among those who played
in the most imperious manner, and no man durst
appeal from his decision, unless he could resolve
to fight him next day. Such as I have described
Don Rodrigo, who, notwithstanding the Don he
bad prefixed to his name, was an arrant rascal, he
captivated the mistress of the tennis-court, who
was a woman about forty years of age, rich and
agreeable enough, and in the fifteenth month of
her widowhood. I know not how he won he
heart; for doubtless it was not by his beauty;
but surely, by that je ne sgai quoi which cannot
be expressed. Be that as it will, she had a passion
for him, and actually designed to take him for her
husband ; but while preparations were making for
the consummation of that affair, she fell sick, and
unhappily employed me as her physician. If her
distemper had not been a malignant fever, my
prescriptions were sufficient to endanger her life ;
so that in four days I filled the tennis-court with
mourning : the mistress went the way of all my
patients, and her relations took possession of her

160 GIL BLAS.

estate. Don Rodrigo, made desperate by the loss
of his mistress, or rather by being- baulked in his
expectation of a very advantageous match, not
only cursed and reviled nie, but also swore that he
would run ine through the body whenever he
could catch me, and Exterminate me from the face
of the earth. A charitable neighbour informed
me of this oath, and advised me not to stir abroad,
for fear of meeting this devil of a man. This
advice, which I had no intention to neglect, filled
me with confusion and dismay : I fancied inccs--
sautly, that I saw this furious Biscayan coming
into the house ; and could not enjoy one moment's
repose. This effectually detached me from physic,
and my sole care was how to free myself from
disquiet: I resumed my embroidered suit, and
after having bid adieu to my nsaster^ who could
not persuade me to stay, quitted the city at day-
break, not without apprehension of meeting Doo,,
Rodrigo in my way. \^ ^

CHAP. VI.

Of his route tvhen he left Vallaclolid ; and the
l^crson he joined on the road.

I WALKED very fast, looking beliind me from time
to time, to see if this formidable Biscayan was not
at my heels ; my imagination being; so much pos-

CIL BIAS,

ir,i

lessed by tliat fellow, that I took every tree or bush
I saw for him ; and every moment felt my heart
throb with fear. I plucked up my courage how-
evcfj when I had got a good league, and continued
at an easier pace my journey towards Madrid,
whither my pur[)0se was to go. I sliould have
quitted Valladolid Avithout regret, had I not been
sorry to part from Fabricius, ray dear Pylades, to
whom I could not so much as bid adieu : but it
gave me no mortification to renounce physic : on
the contrary I begged pardon of God, for having
exercised it at all ; though I did not fail to count,
with pleasure, the money I had in my purse, not-
withstanding its being the salary of my assassina-
tions : in that respect resembling those ladies of
pleasure, who reform their morals, but nevertheless
keep fast hold of the wages of sin. My whole for-
tune amounted to pretty near the value of five
ducats, in rials ; on the strength of \^ hich I expect-
ed to reach Madrid, where I did not doubt of find-
ing some good place : besides, I longed passionately
to see that august city, which had been extolled to
me as the epitome of all the wonders of the world.

While I recollected all that I had heard in its
praise, and enjoyed its pleasures by anticipation, I
heard the voice of a man behind me, singing at full
stretch : he had a leathern wallet on his back, a
guitar hanging about his neck, a long sword by his
side, and walked so fast, that he was up with me
in a very short time. Being one of the two journey-

YOL. I. flf

162 61L BLA3.

man barbers, with whom I had been imprisoned in
the adventure of the ring, we knew one another
im mediately, though our dress was altered, and
were very much surprised at meeting so unexpect-
edly on the highway. I assured him that I was
extremely glad to have him for a fellow-traveller,
and his joy seemed no less at meeting with me. I
told him my reasons for quitting Valladolid ; and
he reposed the same confidence in ute, by letting
me know that he had quarrelled with his master,
and bid him an eternal adieu. " If I had been in-
clined (added he) to live any longer in Valladolid,
I could have found employment in abundance of
shops : for, without vanity, I can handle a razor,
and curl a mustachio, as well as e'er a barber in
Spain, but I could no longer resist the violent de-
sire I had to visit the place of my nativity, from
which I have been absent these ten years : I want
to breathe my own country air a little, and know
the situation of my family, with whom I hope to be
in two days ; for they live at a place called Olmedo,
a market town on this side of Segovia."

Resolving to accompany this barber to his own
home, and from thence go to Segovia, in order
to take the opportunity of some convenience to
Madrid, we pursued our journey, and discoursed of
indifferent subjects. He was a young fellow of
some wit and humour : and when we had conversed
together an hour, he asked how my stomach wa8
disposed : I answered, that he should see at the

GIL BLA8.

163

first inn. Upon which he said, " We had better
make a pause in the mean time : I have something
for breakfast in my wallet ; for when I travel^ I
alwa)s take care to liave provision along with me :
I don't trouble myself with clothes, linen^ and other
useless baggage ; but resolving to have nothing
superfluous, fill my knapsack with belly-timber,
my razors, and a wash-ball." I commended his
prudence, and consented, with all my heart, to the
pause he proposed ; for I was hungry, and resolved
to make a good meal, which I could not but ex-
pect, after what he had told me. We turned a
little out of the highway, in order to sit upon the
grass, where my friend the barber took out his
victuals, consisting of fiive or six onions, with a few
crusts of bread and cheese ; but what he produced
as the best furniture in his budget, was a little
bottle full (as he said) of delicate wine. Though
our dishes were not very savoury, hunger, being
very urgent to us both, made them relish pretty
well ; and we emptied the bottle, which contained
about two pints of a sort of wine that I don't
choose to boast much of: after, which we got up,
and continued our journey with great good humour.
The barber, who had been informed by Fabricius
that I had met with some very particular adven-
tures, desired to hear them from my own mouth ;
a satisfaction I could not refuse to a man who had
regaled me so sumptuously. \\ hen 1 had gratified
his curiosity, I told him he could do no less, in re-

164 GIL BLAS.

tura for my complaisance^ than recount the stor/
of his own life. "^ Oh ! as for my story (cried he)
it is not wortli hearing, as it contains nothing but
ordinary facts : nevertheless (added he) since we
have nothing else to do^ you shall hear it, such as
it is," So saying he related itj nearly in these
words.

CHAP. Vil.

The story of the Journeyman barber.

*
Ferdinand Peres de la Fuenta, my grand-
father (I go to the fountain-head) after having been
fifty years barber in the village of Olmedo, died^
and left four sons, the eldest of whom took posses-
sion of his shop, and succeeded him in the business ;
Bertrand the second, having an inclination for
trade, became a mercer ; Thomas, who was the
third, kept a school ; and the fourth, whose name
was Pedro, feeling himself born for the belles let-
tres, sold a little lot of ground which he had for his
patrimony, and went to live at Madrid, where he
hoped one day to distinguish himself by his wit
and learning ; while his three brothers did not
separate, but settling at Olmedo, married the
daughters of husbandmen, who, in lieu of fortune,
brought them abundance of children, breeding as if

C!L BL\«. 165

it had been for a Nvager. My nioHier, the baiber'a
wife, brought six into tlic world, for her share, in
the first five years of her niarriaii;e, of which num-
ber I am one. INIy father taught nie betimes to
shave, and when I arrived at the age of fifteen put
this wallet upon my shoulders, and girding rae
with a long sword, said, '' Go, Diego, thou art new
in a condition to gain a livelihood : go and see the
world : thou hast occasion for a little travelling to
rub thee up, and make tiiec perfect in thy business.
March, and don't return to Olmedo before thou
hast made a tour of Spain. Let me not hear from
thee until this be performed." At these words ho
embraced me very affectionately, and turned nic
out of doors.

Such was the behaviour oT uiy father at parting
with me. But my mother, whose manners were
not quite so rough, seemed more affected on this
occasion : she let fall some tears, and even slipped
a ducat privately into mj hand. So I quitted
Olmedo, and took the road to Segovia ; of which,
however, I had not walked above two hundred
paces, when I stopped to examine my knapsack,
being desirous of seeing what it contained, and of
knowing precisely the extent of my possession. I
found a case and two razors,, so much wore, that
they seemed to have shaved two generations, with
a thong of leather to set them, and a lump of soap :
besides, there was a canvas shirt quite new, an old
pair of my father's shoes, and what gave nie more

166 GIL BLAS.

pleasure than all the rest, twenty rials wrapped in
a linen rag. This was my whole fortune, by which
you may conclude, that master Nicholas the barber
relied a good deal on my skill, since he sent me
away so poorly provided. Nevertheless, the pos-
session of a ducat and twenty rials did not fail to
charm a young fellow like me, who had never
before been master of coin: I believed my funds
were inexhaustible, and continued my journey in a
transport of joy, admiring, every moment, the hilt
of my sword, which thumped against my hams, or
got between my legs, at every step.

Arriving at the village of Ataquines in the even-
ing, very sharp set, I went to lodge at an inn, and,
as if I had been a man of fortune, called for supper
with an air of authority : the landlord having sur-
veyed me some time, and seeing who he had to do
with, said, in a very obliging manner, " Master,
you shall be satisfied ; we will treat you like a
prince." So saying, he showed me into a little
room ; where, in a quarter of an hour, they brought
me a ragout made of ram cat, which I ate as
greedily as if it had been composed of a rabbit or
hare. This excellent dish was accompanied with
wine, so good, as he said, that the king himself
could not drink better. Notwithstanding this eu,.
logium, I perceived it was cursedly sour; but this
did not hinder me from doing as much honour to
it, as I had already done to the ragout : and, to
complete the treatment of a prince, I was conduct-

GIL BLAB. 167

ed to a couch more proper for encouraging watch-
fulness than sleep ; being a truckle-bed, so narrow
and short, that, little as I was, I had no room to
lie in it with my legs extended : besides, instead of
a mattress and feather-bed, it had only a wretched
flock-bed, covered with a double sheet, which had
served an hundred different travellers at least since
the last washing. Nevertheless, in such a con-
venience, my stomach full of ragout, and that de-
licious wine which the landlord had recommended,
thanks to my youth and constitution, I enjoyed a
sound sleep, andspentthenightwithoutindigestion.
Next day, after having breakfasted, and paid
sauce for my good cheer, I made but one stage to
Segovia ; and on my first arrival, had the good
fortune to be employed in a shop for my board and
lodging : here, however, I staid but six months ;
being seduced by a brother journeyman of my ac-
quaintance, who longed to see Madrid, and with
whom I set out for that city. There I got a
place on the same terms as at Segovia, in a weli-
accustomed shop, much frequented on account of
the neighbourhood of the church of Santa Cruz
and the prince's theatre ; my master, two journey-
men, and I, being scarce sufficient to trim all our
customers, who consisted of people of all ranks,
and, among others, of players and authors. One
day two persons of the last profession, being there
together, began to discourse about the poetry and
poets of the time, and hearing them mention the

168

GIL BLAS.

name of my uncle, 1 listened to their conversation
with great attention. " Don Juan de Zavaleta
(said one of them) is an author, in my opinion,
beneath the public notice : a cold genius, a man
without faiicj : his last piece has done him infinite
prejudice." " And piaj (said the other) has ever
Lewis Valez de Guevara produced a good work ?
y/as ever auy ihlng more wictclied than liis per-
formances?" They liarned a great mmiy more
poet?, whom I have forgot. I remember only that
they spoke contemptuously of theai all except my
uncle, of whom they made honourable mention,
agreeing that he was a lad of merit. " Yes (said
one of them) Don Pedro de la Fuenta is an excel-
lent writer : his books contain a delicate raillery
mixed with erudition, which makes them agree
ably satirical ; and I am not at all surprised at his
being esteemed by the court and city, or at his
receiving salaries from several grandees." — ^' He
has, indeed (said the other) enjoyed a pretty large
income these many years ; and, as he lives with
the Duke of Medina Celi, and spends little, must
be worth a considerable sum of monrv,"

I did not lose one word which the poet said
concerning my uiicle, who, we had heard in the
family, made a noise in Madrid by his works, some
people travelling through Olmedo having told us
so ; but as he neglected to let us hear from him,
and seemed quite detached from his relations, we,
on our partj lived with as great indifierence to-

GIL BLAS.

169

wards him. True blood is, however, always
guided by a sure instinct : as soon as I heard that
he was in good circumstances, and knew where he
lodged, I was tempted to wait upon him : though
one thing embarrassed me not a little ; his being
called Don Pedro by the authors. That Don gave
me some uneasiness, and I was afraid he might be
some oilier poet than my uncle. I was not, how-
ever, stopped by this consideration ; but imagined
that he might have been ennobled on account of
his wit, and therefore resolved to go and see him.
For this purpose, with my master's permission, I
dressed myself one morning as well as I could, and
went out of the shop, not a little proud of being
nephew to a man who had acquired such reputa-
tion by his genius. As the barbers are not the
least vain people in the world, I began to conceive
a great opinion of myself, and strutting with an
haughty air, inquired for the house of the Duke
de Medina Ccli, where, presenting myself at the
gate, and saying I wanted to speak with Don Pedro
de la Fuenta, the porter pointed with his finger to
a little staircase at the further end of a court,
which he bid me ascend, and knock at the first
door on my right hand : I did so, and (a young
man coming out) asked if Signor Don Pedro de la
Fuenta lodged there. *' Yes (said he) but you
cannot see Iwm at present." — " I sliould be very
glad (I replied) to speak with him ; for I bring
him news of his family." — '' If you could bring

no GIL BLAS.

him news of the Pope (said he) I would not intro-
duce jou to his chamber just now ; for he is
composing ; and when that is the case, we must
take care not to disturb his imagination : he will
not be visible till noon, so that you may go and
take a turn, and come back about that time."

I took his advice, and walked through the city
the whole morning, thinking continually on the
reception I should meet with from my uncle, who
I imagined would be extremely glad to see me : I
judged of his sentiments by my own, and preparing
myself for a very tender scene, returned to his
lodgings, with all diligence, at the hour prescribed.
" You are come in the very nick of time (said his
valet) for my master is just going out : stay here a
minute, and I will let him know you are come."
So saying, he left me in in an outward room, and
returning in a moment conducted me into the
chamber of his master, whose face had so much
of our family air in it, that I was struck with the
resemblance, and could not help thinking it was
my very uncle Thomas whom I had left at home.
Having saluted him with profound respect, I told
him I was the son of master Nicholas de la Fuenta,
barber in Olmedo ; that I had worked at my father's
business these three weeks at Madrid, in quality of
a journeyman ; and that I intended to make the
tour of Spain for my improvement. While I
spoke, my uncle seemed to muse, considering, in
all likelihood, whether he should disown roe for

GIL BLAS, 171

his nephew, or get rid of me in a more dexterous
manner. He chose this last method, and, affect-
ing a smiling air, said, " Well, my friend, how do
thy father and uncles ? I hope they are in good
circumstances." Upon this I began to describe
the plentiful propagation of our family ; I told
him the names of all the children, male and female,
and even comprehended in that list their god-
fathers and godmothers. He did not seem to
interest himself infinitely in my detail, but coming
to his purpose, replied, " Diego, I approve very
much of thy resolution to travel, in order to make
thee perfect in thy profession ; and I advise thee
to leave Madrid as soon as possible : it is a per-
nicious place for youth, in which thou wilt be
ruined, my child. It will be more for thy advan-
tage to reside in some of the other cities of the
kingdom, where people's morals are not so much
corrupted. Go (added he) and, when thou art
ready to set out, come and see me again ; I will
give thee a pistole to help thee to make the tour
of Spain." With these words, he pushed me
gently out of his chamber, and sent me about my
business.

I had not sense enough to perceive that he
wanted to remove me at a good distance from
him ; but, going to our shop, gave my master an
account of what had passed : he was as far from
discovering the intention of Signor Don Pedro as
I was, and said, " I am not at all of your uncle's

172 (GIL BLAS.

opinion : instead of advising you to travel, he
ought rather, I think, to make it your interest to
stay in this city ; for, being intimate with so many
persons of quality, he can easily settle you in some
great family, and put you in a condition to make
your fortune." Struck with this discourse, which
flattered my imagination, in two days I went back
to my uncle, and proposed that he should employ
his credit to procure admission for me into the
family of some lord belonging to the court. But
this proposal was not at all to his liking : a vain
man like him, who had free access to the great,
and ate every day at their tables, could not brook
his nephew's sitting with the servants, while he
dined with their lords ; in this case, little Diego
would have made Signer Don Pedro blush. He
did not fail, therefore, to refuse my request, and
that not in the most civil manner. '' How ! you
little vagabond (said he with a furious look)
wouldst thou quit thy profession ? Go, I abandon
thee to those who have given thee such pernicious
counsel : get out of my apartment, and never set
foot in it again, otherwise I will cause thee to be
chastised as thou deservest." Confounded at these
words, and still more at the tone in which they
were delivered, I retired, with the tear in my eye,
affected at this harsh behaviour: but as I was
naturally brisk and haughty, I soon dried my
tears ; my grief changed to indignation, and I
resolved to take no further notice of this unkind

ciL nLAs. 173

relation, without whose assistance I had hitherto
made shift to live.

iVIy whole thoui^ht being now bent on cultivat-
ing my talent, I applied to business, shaved all
day long, and in the evening learned to play on the
guitar by way of recreation. My master for that
instrument was an old Signor Escudero*, whose
beard I trimmed, and who tauglit me music, which
he understood perfectly well, having been formerly
cljorister in a cathedral. His name was Marcos de
Obregon, a sage person who had a large stock of
sense as well as experience, and loved me as well
as if I liad been his own child. He served in
quality of usher to a physician's wife, who lived
within thirty paces of our house, whither I used to
go in the twilight, when he had left off working:
and sittino; together on the threshold of the door,
we usL'd 10 make a little concert, not at all disa-
greeable to the neighbours ; not that our voices
were exquisite, but while we thrummed upon the
instrument, each of us in our turn, accompanied it
with singing, and that was sufficient to please our
audience. In particular, we diverted Donna Mer-
gellina, the physician's wife, who used to come
into the passage to hear us, and sometimes made
us repeat the airs that were most to her liking,
her husband not being offended at her enjoying
this diversion ; for though he was a Spaniard,

Escudero J a squire to wait on a gentlewoman.

174 GIL BLAS.

and already well stricken in yeB.vs, he was not
jealous : his profession engrossed him wholly, and
as he returned fatigued from his patients in the
evening, he went to bed betimes, without being
alarmed at his wife's attention to our concerts ;
'tis probable, indeed, that he did not think them
capable of making dangerous impressions : and
we must observe, that he imagined he had little or
no cause to fear; Mergillina being young and
handsome 'tis true, but withal so savagely virtuous,
that she could not so much as endure the look of
a man. He did not, therefore, begrudge her a
pastime that seemed so innocent and honourable,
but left us to sing as much as we pleased. One
evening when I came to the physician's door, with
an intention to play as usual, I found the old squire
expecting me, who taking me by the hand, said
he wanted to take a turn with me before we should
begin our concert; then leading me into a by-
street where we found we could talk with freedom,
*' Son Diego (said he, with a melancholy air) I
have something extraordinary to disclose ; I am
afraid, my child, that we both shall have cause to
repent of amusing ourselves in the evening with
concerts at my master's door. I have, doubtless a
great friendship for you, and am very well pleased
with having taught you to play upon the guitar
and sing ; but had I foreseen the misfortune that
threatens us, please God ! I would have given you
your lessons in sori)e other place ! Frightened at

GIL BLAS. 175

this discourse, I begged the usher to be more
explicit, and tell me vhat we had to fear: for I
was not a man who could brave danger ; nor had
I, as yet, made the tour of Spain. *' I will (said
he) tell you what is necessary to be known, that
you may comprehend the jeopardy in which we
are. When I entered into the service of the phy-
sician, which is about a year ago, he said to me
one morning, after having brought me into the
presence of his wife, ' Marcos, behold your mis-
tress : this is tlie lady whom you are to attend every-
where.' I admired Donna Mergellina, I thought
her wonderfully pretty, excessively handsome, and
was particularly charmed with the agreeable air
that difluscd itself through her whole mien : ' Sir
(answered I to the physician) I am too happy in
being permitted to serve such a charming lady.*
Mergellina, disgusted at my answer, said in a pas-
sion, ' A pretty fellow, indeed ! methinks you take
a great deal of liberty. — I want none of your com-
pliments— not I.' Such words, from a mouth so
agreeable, surprised rae very much ; I could not
reconcile this rustic and insolent manner of speak-
ing with the gentle appearance of my mistress : but
her husband, who was used to it, rejoiced at his
having a wife of such a rare character, told me
that his spouse was a prodigy of virtue ; and per-
ceiving that she put on her veil, and prepared to
go to mass, bade me conduct her to church. We
were no sooner in the street, than we met (which

176

GIL BLAS.

is not at all extraordinary) several gentlemen, who,
struck with the fine air of Donna Mergellina, paid
her a great many compliments en passant. She
replied to them all ; but you cannot imagine how
silly and ridiculous her answers were. Everybody
was astonished, and could not conceive that there
was a woman in the world who could be displeased
with praise. ' Madam (said I to her) take no
notice of what is said to you ; it is better to keep
silence, than to speak in passion.' — No, no (an-
swered she) I will let these insolent fellows know
that I won't be treated with disrespect.' In shorty
so much impertinence escaped her, that I could
not help telling her my sentiments, at the hazard of
her displeasure. I represented to her as delicately
as I could, that she perverted nature, and spoiled
a thousand good qualities by her savage humour ;
that a woman of politeness and^ood nature might
inspire love without the help of beauty ; whereas,
the handsomest person in the world, without meek-
ness and good-breeding, would become the object
of contempt. I strengthened these arguments with
n?any more of the same kind, calculated for the
reformation of her behaviour ; and after having
moralized a good deal, I was afraid that my free-
dom would enrage my mistress, and bring upon
me some severe repartee : nevertheless, she did not
rebel against my remonstrance, but contented her-
self with neglecting it entirely, as well as all the
rest that I was afterwards foolish enough to make.

dilL BLAS.

\7'

" At leiiH;tli 1 forbore ti) advise her of her fauUs,
and abandoned her to the ferocity of her nature*
Mean while (would you believe it) ? this ferocious
disposition, this haughty woman is, within these
two months, entirely changed ; ^he is complaisant
to every body, and her behaviour most ai^recabie ;
she is not the same Mergelliiia who made such
silly answers to the men that said obliging things
to her ; she is bepome sensible to praise ; loves to
be called handsome, and told that a man cannot
look upon her with impunity ; and flattery is nov¥
as agreeable to her as to any other woman ; the
change is scarce credible ! and, what will surprise
you still more, you are the author of such a great
miracle ! Yes, my dear Diego, (continued the usher)
you have metamorphosed Donna Mergellina in this
manner, and converted that tigress into a lamb.
In one word, you have attracted her notice : I
have perceived it more than once, and I am very
much mistaken in the sex if she has not conceived
a most violent passion for you. This, my child, is
the sad piece of news I have to disclose, and the
troublesome dilemma in which we are."

" I can't sec (said I to the old man) that we
have so much cause to be afflicted at this affair, or
that it is a misfortune for me to be beloved by a
handsome lady/' — '' Ah, Diego ! (he replied) you
talk like a young man : you look only at the bait,
without perceiving the hook ; you consider only
the pleasure, but I foresee the disagreeable conse-

YOL. I. N

178 GIL BLAS.

quences. All will come to light in the end. If
you continue coming to sing at our door^ you will
inflame the passion of Mergellina, who, perhaps,
losing all restraint, will betray her weakness before
her husband Doctor Oloroso ; and he who appears
so complaisant at present, because he believes he
has no reason to be jealous, will become furious,
revenge himself upon her, and, in all probability,
make both you and me feel the effects of his rage."
— " Why, truly, (said I) Signor Marcos, your
reasons are convincing, and I submit myself wholly
to your advice; give me, therefore, directions how
to behave in order to prevent mischief." — " We
have nothing to do (answered he) but to give over
our concert : appear no more before my mistress ;
and, when you are no longer seen, she will retrieve
her quiet. Stay at your master's house, whither [
will come, and we will play upon the guitar with-
out danger." — *' With all my heart (said I) and I
promise never to set foot within your door again."
I resolved, in good earnest, to be as good as my
word, and, for the future, to keep myself close in
the shop, since the sight of me was so dangerous.
In the mean time honest Marcos, with all his
prudence, found in a very few days, that the means
he had contrived to extinguish the flame of Donna
Mergellina produced a quite contrary efi'ect. The
lady, not having heard me sing for two nights
successively, asked hiin why we had discontinued
our concert, and for what reason I no longer ap-

GIL BLAS.

179

peared ? He replied I was so busy that I had not
a moment to bestow on niv pleasures. She seemed
satisfied with this excuse, and for three davs more
supported my absence with fortitude enough;
but, at the end of that tiinc, my prinn-- lost all
patience, and said to her squire, " \ iA\ ;rceive
rae, Marcos; Die^o must have some otiier reason
for not coming hither : tiiere is some mystery in it,
which I must have explained ; speak, therefore, I
order you, and conceal notliiiig of the truth." —
" Madam, (answered he, njakinsr use of another
expedient) since you must know the truth, I will
tell you, that he commonly found supper over
Avhen he went home, after our concert; and he
does not choose to run the risk of going to bed
with an empty stomacii." — " How ! with an empty
stomach ? (cried she with marks of uneasiness)
why had not you told me this sooner ? Go to bed
supperless ! poor haby ! Go to him instantly, and
bring him hither this evening. He shan't go home
with an empty stomach : there shall always be a
plate of son)ethiiig reserved for him."

" What do I hear ; (said the usher, aflfecting
surprise at her discourse) Heavens, what a change!
Is it you, madam, that talk thus? How long have
you been thus geptle and compassionate ?" — "How
long ! (replied she, hastily) since your abode in this
house; or rather since you condemned my disdain-
ful carriage, and laboured to soften the roughness
of my behaviour. But, alas ! (added she, in a

180

6IL BLiS.

melting- strain) I have passed from one extremity
to another ! from being haughty and insensiblcj I
am become tvo soft and tender ! I love your young
frieiid Diego, in spite of all ray eftorts to the con-
trary; and his absence, instead of weakening, adds
uew vigour to my love!"— "^ Is it possible (said
the old man) that a lad, who is neither handsome
nor genteel ! should be the object of such a violent
passion ? I would forgive your sentiments, hdd they
been inspired by some gentleman of shining accom-
plishments."— ''Ah, Marcos! (said Mergellina,
interrupting him) I don't resemble the rest of my
sex-— or rather, notwithstanding all your long ex-
perience, you are but little acquainted with women,
if you think that merit always determines their
choice. If I may be allowed to judge by myself,
deliberation has no share in their engagements ;
love is a disorder of the mind, by which we are
involuntarily dragged and fastened to the object —
it is a distemper by which we are seized as dogs
are with madness : cease therefore to represent
Diego as unworthy of my tenderness : let it suffice
that my love finds in him a thousand good qualities
which escape your notice, and perhaps only exist
in my imagination. It is vain for you to tell me,
that neither his features nor his make deserve the
least attention. He seems to be born to captivate,
and fairer than the day I besides, he has a sweet-
ness of voice that charms me, and in ray opinion,
plays on the guitar with a grace peculiar to him-

GIL BIAS. 181

self. " — " But, riiadani (replied Marcos) do you
consider who this Diego is? (he meanness of his
condition?" — " Mine is not much higlier than
his (said she, interrupting him again) and if 1 was
even a woman of quality, that should be no ob-
jection."

The result of this conversation was, that the
usher, thinking he should inak^ little progress with
his remonstrances, ceased to oppose the infatuation
of his mistress; as an expert pilot yields io the
storm that drives him from the yiort in view. He
did more for the satisfaction of his patroness ; for
coming to nie, he took me aside, and having re-
counted what passed between her and him ; " You
see, Diego, (added he) that we cannot help con-
tinuing our concert at Mergellina's door. There
is a necessity for that lady's seeing you again, my
friend ; otherwise we shall commit some piece of
indiscretion, that may do infinite prejudice to her
reputation." I was not hard-hearted, but told
Marcos, I would in the twilight repair to the
place of assignation, with my guitar, and that he
might go and regale his mistress with this agree-
able piece of news. In this he did not fail ; and
that passionate inamorata was ravished to under-
stand that she should have the pleasure of seeing
and hearing me that very evening.

A disagreeable accident, however, had well nigh
baulked her expectation. For I couid not leave
the shop before night, which, for my sins, wai

182 GIL BLAS.

extremely dark ; and as I groped along the street,
and had got about halfway to the place of rendez-
vous, I was crowned, from a window, with the
contents of a perfuming pan, that did not at all
delight my sense of smelling ; though I may safely
say, I lost none of it, so exactly was I eqiiji)ped.
In this condition, I did not know what course to
take. Had I returned to the shop I should have
aflorded a very diverting scene to my comrades,
and exposed myself to a thousand unsavory jests ;
and I was shocked at the thought of going in this
fine pickle to Mergellina : this last, however, I
resolved upon, and going to the physician's house,
found the old squire waiting for me at the door.
When he told me that Doctor Oloroso being in
bed, we might freely divert ourselves ; I answered,
I must first clean my clothes : and then related
my misfortune : he sympathised with me, and con-
ducted me into the hall where his mistress was,
who no sooner learned my adventure, and saw my
condition, than she grieved for me as much as if I
had met wHh the greatest misfortune ; and be-
stowed a thousand curses on the person who had
thus accommodated me. " But, madam, (said
Marcos to her) moderate your transports ; and
consider that this event, being the pure effect of
chance, ought not to be so deeply resented." —
" Why should not I (answered she) deeply resent
the injury that has been done to this poor lamb,
this dove without gall, who does not even complain

GIL BLAS. 183

of the outrage he has received ? O that I was a
man this niomciit to revenge it !"

She said a thousand things more that denoted
the excess of her love, vvhicli she made appear no
less by her actions; for while Marcos was busied
in wiping me with a towel, she ran to her chamber
and fetched from it a box full of all sorts of per-
fumes ; sweetening my clothes sAith the scent of
odoriferous drugs which she burned, and after-
wards sprinkling them all over with essences. The
fumigation and aspersion performed, this charitable
lady went herself into the kitchen for some bread,
wine, and slices of roasted mutton, which she had
set apart for my entertainment : and obliging me
to eat, took pleasure in serving me, sometimes by
cutting me victuals, and sometimes by filling wine;
in spite of all that Marcos and I could say to dis-
suade her from such condescension. ^V hen I had
supped, we gentlemen of the band began to tune
our voices to our guitars, and performed a concert
that charmed Mergellina. We affected, indeed,
to sing those airs, the words of which flattered
her pasiion ; and it must be observed, that while
I sung, I frequently ogled her with the tail of my
eye in such a manner, as blew the coals of love ;
for I began to be pleased with the game. Although
the concert lasted a long time, I was not at all
tired ; and as for the lady, to whom the hours
seemed minutes, she would willingly have spent
the night in hearing us ; had not the old usher, to

84

GIL BLA3.

whom the minutes seemed hours^ put her in mind
of its being late. This she gave him the trouble
to repeat ten or twelve times; but she had to do
with one who was indefatigable on that subject,
and who gave her no rest until I was gone. This
experienced person, seeing his mistress abandoned
to a foolish passion, was afraid of some cross acci-
dent: and his fear was soon justified: for the
doctor, either suspecting some secret intrigue, or
agitated by the demon of jealousy, who had re-
spected him hitherto, took it in his head to find
fault with our concerts, which he forbad in a
peremptory manner, and, without giving any reason
for his disgust, declared that for the future he
would suffer no strangers to come within his doors.
Marcos advertised me of this declaration, which
was particularly intended for me, and mortified
me not a little ; for I had conceived hopes I was
Borry to forgo. Nevertheless, that I may act the
faithful historian, I will own that I bore the mis-
fortune with patience. This was not the case with
Mergellina, whose sentiments were more inflamed
than ever. *' My dear Marcos ! (said she to her
usher) from you alone I expect assistance : iall
upon some method, I beg of you, to bring Diego
and me together in private." — " What do you
ask ! (cried the old man in a rage). I have been
already but too complaisant, and will not under-
take, by gratifying your silly passion, to dishonour
fny master, ruin your reputation, and entail infamy

GIL BLAS. 185

upon mjself. I, who liave always maiutaiiied the
character of an irreproachable domestic ! I will
rather quit your family than serve you in such a
shameful manner." — "Ah, Marcos! (cried the
lady, interrupting him, and frightened at his last
words) you pierce my very heart, when you talk of
leaving me ! Cruel man ! are you going to forsake
me now, after having reduced me to this condition!
Give me back my former pride, and that savage-
Dess of disposition you have deprived me of ! Why
do I not still possess these happy defects, which
would have preserved my tranquillity : whereas
your indiscreet remonstrances have robbed me of
the repose I enjoyed ! You have corrupted my
morals by endeavouring to correct them. — But
what do I say, (added she) wretch that I am ! why
do I reproach you unjustly I No, my father, you
are not the author of my misfortune, which cruel
fate alone decrees ! Don't therefore take notice,
I conjure you, of the extravagant discourse that
escapes me! Alas! my passion disorders my un-
derstanding! have pity on my weakness; you are
all my comfort, and if you have any regard for
my life, do not refuse your assistance."

At these words, her tears redoubling in such a
manner that she could not go on, she covered her
face with her handkerchief, and threw herself upon
a chair, like a person sinking under affliction. Old
Marcos, who was perhaps the best soul of an usher
that ever lived, could not resist such a moving

186 QIL BLAS.

sight, which affected him so mtich, that he even
m in led his fears with (hose of his mistress, and
said, with an air of tenderness, ''Ai), rnadam^ how
bewit{ hiiifj:; you are! I am not proof agaisist your
sorrou' ! My virtue is vanquished, and 1 promise
you my yssistance. I am not surprised tiiat love
has been able to make you forget y<(ur duty, when
pity oois iias severed iise from mine/' Accordingly,
the usher, in spite of his irreproachable conduct,
devoted himself very (tbligingly to the passion of
IVIergeliina, and having come one morning to in-
form tne of what iiad liappened, told me at parting,
that he had already ccmcerlcd a plan for procuring
a secret interview between the lady and me. This
re-animated my hope, but in less than two hours
after I received a piece of very bad news. A
journeyman apothecary in the neighbourhood, one
of our customers, came in to be shaved, and while
1 prepared the lather, said, " Signor Diego, what
is the matter with your friend the old squire, Mar-
cos de Obregon ! Do you know that he is going to
leave Doctor Oloroso?" Upon my answering in
the negative, he resumed, ''It is certainly true; he
is to be dismissed this very day: his master and
mine have been just talking on that subject, while
I was by ; and to the best of niy remembrance,
their conversation was thus : — ' Signor Apuntador
('iaid the physician) I have a favour to ask : being
dissatisfied with an old usher who has served me
some time, I want to put my wife under the direc-

GIL BLAS. 187

tion of a faithful, severe, and vigilant duenna.' —
' I understand you (said my master, interrupting
him), you have occasion for Dame Melaiicia. wjio
was my wife's governante, and has li\ed in the
family these six weeks that I have been a widower:
though she is very useful to me in housekeeping,
I yield her to you, on account of my concern for
your honour. You may depend upon her for
the safety of your forehead: she is a jewel of a
duenna *, and a very dragon to guard the chastity
of the female sex: during the whole term of twelve
years that she was with my wife, who, you know,
was both young and handsome, I never saw so
much as the shadow of a gallant in my house.
No, faith ! it was no place for them to play pranks
in, and, let me tell you, the defunct, in the begin-
ning, had a strong ])ropeiisity to coquetry, but
Dame Melancia soon reclaimed, and inspired her
with a taste for virtue. In a word she is a treasure,
and you will thank me more than once for the
present I make of her,' The doctor was rejoiced
at this encomium, and Signor Apuutador and he
are agreed, that the duenna shall this very day fiil
the place of the old uslier."

This piece of news, w hich I believed, and was
certainly true, disturbed the ideas of pleasure with

* The duennas are di>creet fcmale» of approved fidelity, Lo
whose care the Spaniards coininit the chastity of their wItc.-.
and daughters— an office happily excluded from this land of
virtuous freedom.

188

filL BLAS.

which I had begua again to regale myself; and
Marcos, in the afternoon, confounded them e£fec-
tuallj, by confirming the report of the journeyman
apothecary. " My dear Diego (said the honest
usher) I am very glad that Doctor Oloroso has
dismissed me. A circumstance that spares me a
great deal of trouble : for I not only found myself
engaged in a bad employment ; but likewise under
a necessity of contriving tricks and stratagems io
bring Mergellina and you together in private.
What a dilemma had I brought myself into !
Thank heaven, I am freed from those troublesome
cares, and the dangers that attend them ! For your
part, my son, you ought to console yourself for the
loss of a few sweet moments, which might have
been followed by numberless sorrows." I relished
the reflection of Marcos, because I no longer had
any hopes ; and thought no more of the affair. I
confess, I was not one of those stubborn lovers
■who are animated by the obstacles in their way ;
but had I been such an one. Dame Melancia wa s
enough to make me quit my pursuit ; for the
character I had heard of that duenna seemed
capable of driving any gallant to despair. Never-
theless, in whatever colours she had been painted
to me, I learned two or three days after, that the
doctors wife had either lulled this Argus, or cor-
rupted her fidelity. As I went out to shave one
of our neighbours, a decent old woman stopping
me in the street, asked if my name was not Diego

OIL QLAI.

1S9

d€ la Fiienta ; when I answered. Yes. " Well,
then (said she), you are the person I want. Come
this night to Donna Mergellina's door, and make
some signal by wliich you may be known and ad-
mitted into the house" — " Very well, (said I to
her) we must first agree upon the signal. I can
mimic a cat charmingly, and will mew several
times," — '■ That's enough, (replied this she Mer-
cury) I will report your answer. Your servant,
Signor Diego — Heaven bless you — How handsome
you are; By St. Agnes, if I were but fifteen years
old, I would not choose to engage you for others."
So saying, the officious beldame went away.

You may well think that I was furiously agi-
tated by tliis message. Adieu the reflection of
Marcos ! I expected night with the utmost im-
patience, and when I thought Doctor Oloroso
might be asleep, went lo her door, where I mewed
so loud as to be heard at a great distance, and did
great honour to the master who taught me such a
polite art. In a moment, Mergellina herself having
opened the door softly and let me in, shut it again
in the same manner ; and we went together into
the hall where our last concert was held, and
ifvhich was lighted by a small lamp that glimmered
in the chimney: we sat down close by one another,
for the benefit of conversing more at our ease ; and
and were both very much affected : with this
difference, however, that pleasure alone was the
occasion of her emotion ; while mine partook a

190 GIL BLAS.

little of fear. My princess in vain assured me,
that we had nothing to dread on account of her
hushand ; I was seized with a fit of shivering that
disturbed my joy. " Madam, fsaid I to her) how
have you been able to deceive the vigilance of
your governante ? After what I had heard of Datne
Melancia, 1 did not think it possible for you to find
means to let me hear from you, much less to give me
a personal interview." Donna Mergellina, smiling
at my discourse, answered;, "^ You will cease to be
surprised at the private opportunity we now enjoy,
after I have told you what passed between my
duenna and me. When she came first into the
family^ my husband loaded her with civilities, and
said to me, ' Mergellina, I commit you to the con-
duct of this discreet gentlewoman, who is a sum-
mary of all the virtues : a mirror which you must
always have before your eyes, for your improve-
ment in wisdom : this admirable person governed
an apothecary's wife (a friend of mine) twelve
years ; and that in such an uncommon manner,
that she became a kind of saint, under her in-
struction.'

'' This encomium, which the severe look of
Dame Melancia did not belye, cost me a world of
tears, and threw me into despair. I represented to
myself the lectures I must hear from morn tonight,
and the rebukes I must every day undergo. In
short, I expected to be the most unhappy woman
in the world : and thinking it needless to be on

niL BLAS.

191

the reserve, in such a cruel state of expectation, I
said to my duenna, with a resoUite air (as soon as
I found myself alone with her), 'You are doubtless
preparing a great many suft'crings for me ; but I
think proper to advertise you before-hand, that I
have not a great deal of patience ; and that I will
endeavour to give you as many mortifications as I
can : in the mean time, I declare that my heart
entertains a passion which all your remonstrances
shall not impair ; so you may take your measures
accordingly, and redouble your vigilance ; for I
confess I will spare nothing to deceive it." At
these words, the grim-faced duenna (who, I ima-
gined, was about to give nje a sample of her
office) cleared up her austere countenance, and
said with a smiling air, ' I am charmed with your
Iiumour, your frankness encourages mine, and I
see we are designed for one another : Ah, my fair
Mergellina ! how little are you acquainted with
mc when you judge by the character your spouse
the doctor gives me, and by this sour aspect I
assume ! I am so far from being an enemy to
pleasure, that my sole motive for hiring myself as
the minister of jealous husbands is, that I may the
more effectually serve the handsome wives. I have
long possessed the great mvstery of disguising my-
self; and I may call myself doubly happy, because
I enjoy the convenience of sin and the reputation
of virtue at the same time. Between you and me,
this is the scope of mankind in general : virtue

192

GIL RLA8.

itself is too difficult to be acquired ; and therefore
people are satisfied with possessing the appearaiicet
of it.

** ' Leave your conduct to my direction, (added
the governante) and I warrant jou, we will soon
impose upon old Doctor Oloroso, who, by my
troth, shall soon share the fate of Signor Apun-
tador ; for I don't see why the forehead of a
physician should be more respected than that of
an apothecary. Poor Apuntador ! how many
tricks his wife and I have played him ! She was a
lovely creature ! a good-humoured soul, heaven
rest it ! I can assure you she made a good use of her
youth ; and did not want adundance of admirers^
whom I introduced to the house without ever
being discovered by her husband : look upon me,
therefore, madam, with a more favourable eye,
and be persuaded, that whatever talent the old
squire might have for your service, you will lose
nothing by the change, and perhaps find me still
more useful than he was/

" I leave you to judge, Diego (continued Mer-
gellina) how much Ithought myself obliged to the
duenna for this frank declaration, for I looked
upon her as a person of the most austere virtue ; so
apt are people to be deceived in women. Her
sincerity gained my heart in a moment; I embraced
her in a transport of joy, that convinced her how
much I was charmed with my lot, in having her
for a governante ; and afterwards freely imparted

GIL BLAS.

193

my sentiments to her, and begged that slie would,
without loss of time, contrive a private meeting
with you, which she has not failed to procure.
This very morning she set at work that old woman
who spoke to you, and who is an agent whom she
often employed for the apothecary's wife. But the
most pleasant part of this adventure (added she,
laughing) is, that Melancia, understanding from
rae that my husband commonly sleeps sound, has
gone to bed to him, and this very minute supplies
my place." '' So much the worse, madam, (said I
to Mergellina) I cannot approve this invention :
your husband may wake and perceive the cheat."
— '* He cannot perceive it (answered she, with
some precipitation) ; do not be uneasy on that
score ; nor let a groundless panic poison the delight
you ought to enjoy wilh a young lady who has a
regard for you."

The old doctor's wife, observing that I was still
dismayed, notwithstanding her assurance, did every
thing in her power to encourage me, and practised
so many different endeavours for that purpose,
that she succeeded at last, and I resolved to profit
by the occasion ; but just as Cupid, attended by
the Sports and Smiles, was about to crown my
happiness, we were astonished by a loud rap at the
street door. Immediately Love and his train took
wing, like a flock of fearful birds dispersed by
sudden noise ! — Mergellina concealed rae in a

VOL. I. o

19i

GIL BLAS.

hurry under a tabic that was in the hall ; then
blowing out (he lamp, as had been agreed upon
between her governantc and her, in case such a
cross accident should happen, she went to the
chamber where her husband was a-bed. In the
mean time the whole house rung with the repeated
knocks that were thundered at the door : and the
doctor, starting out of his sleep, called Melancia.
—The duenna, jumping out (tf bed (although the
doctor, who mistook her for his wife, bid her lie
still) joined her mistress in the dark, who, feeling
her, called Melancia also, and bid her go and see
who knocked at the door : '' Madam (answered
the govcrnante), I am here — Go to bed again, if
you please, and I will go and see what is the
matter." Mean while Mergellina, having un-
dressed, slipt into bed to the doctor, who had not
the least suspicion of the trick. — 'Tis true, indeed,
this scene was performed in the dark by two
actresses, one of whom was matchless in her way,
and the other an admirable proficient.

The duenna, wrapped in a rohe de cliamhrc^
appearing soon after with a candle in her luind,
said to her master, " Signor Doctor, be so good as
to rise: the bookseller, Fernandez de Buendia,
our neighbour, has fallen into an apoplexy, and
you are desired to go with all haste to his assist-
ance." TJie physician dressed himself as soon as
he could, and went away ; while his wife, in a

r.lL liLAS.

195

loose gown, came aloiiu; with the duenna into the
hall wliere 1 Mas, and drawing nic IVoni under tlie
table, more dead than alive, " You have nothinj^
to fear, Diego (said she), recollect yourself." Then,
in a few words, she told me what had happened,
and wanted to renew the conversation which had
been interrupted ; but this the governante opposed,
sa^-iiig, " Madam, perhaps your husband will find
the bookseller dead, and return immediately. Be-
sides (added she, perceiving mc benumbed with
fear), what would you do with this poor lad ? He
is in no condition fo maintain the conference,
which you had better defer till to-morrow." —
Donna Mergellina consented to this proposal, not
without regret ; so well did she love the present
lime : and I believe she was very much mortified,
that she could not then bestow upon the doctor
the new cap she had destined for him.

As for my own part, less sorry for having been
baulked of love's most precious favours, than glad
to be out of danger, I went back to my master's
house, where I spent the night in reflecting upon
my adventure. — 1 hesitated some time about going
to the place of rendezvous next night, having as
bad an opinion of this second enterprise as of the
first : but the devil, who is always laying close
siege to us, or rather, on such occasions, takes
possession of our faculties, suggested that I should
be a great booby to stop short in the middle of such

196 GIL BLA&.

a dells'bfful journey, represented fo my fancy Mer-
gellina adorned with new charms, and heightened
the value of the pleasures that awaited me : so that
I resolved to pursue my pointy and flattering my-
self wi!h the hope of behaviiig with more courage
than bvfore, 1 repaired in this disposition to the
doctor's door, between eleven and twelve next
night, which was so dark that not one star ap-
peared in the firmament. I mewed two or three
times, to 2:ive notice that I was in the street ; and
nobody cofin'ng to the door^ I not only repeated
the signal, but also mimicked all the different ex-
pressions of a cat, which a shepherd of Olmedo
had taught me ; and acquitted myself so well, that
a neighbour going home, and mistaking me for one
of those animals whose notes I imitated, took up
a flint stone he found at his feet and threw it at me
with his whole strength, saying, " Curse on the
caterwauier !" I received the blow upon my head,
which stunned me so much, that I had well nigh
tumbled backwards. I felt myself wounded ; a
circumstance sufficient to give me a disgust to
gallantry ; and losing my love with my blood,
returned to our house, where I alarmed and raised
the whole family. My master examined and dressed
my wound, which he thought dangerous ; but it
was attended with no bad consequence, and in
three weeks disappeared. — During all that time I
heard not one syllable about Mergellina : and it is

GIL BLAS.

197

not unlikely that Dame Melancia, in order to
detach her from me, introduced her to some better
acquaintance. But this gave me no couceru, for
as soon as I found myself perfectly cured, I left
Madrid, in order to perform my tour of Spain.

CHAP. Vlll.

Gil Bias and his companioii come up ivith a man
wh(ym they perceive soaking crusts of hread in
a spring; and enter i?ito ccnversation with
kirn.

SiGNOR Diego de Fuenta recounted a good
many more adventures that had happened to him ;
but, in my opinion, so little worth the breath they
cost, that I shall pass them over in silence; though
I was obliged to bear the recital, which was so
tedious that it brought us as far as Ponte de
Duera. In this village we staid t\\e remaining
part of the day ; and at the inn where we lodged,
ordered for supper a dish of cabbage-soup and a
roasted hare, the species of which we were at great
pains to prove before-hand. On the morrow, at
break of day, we pursued our journey, after having
replenished our bottle with pretty good wine, and
furnished our knapsack with some slices of bread,
and the half of the hare which remained from our
Slipper.

19S GIL BLAS.

Wlien weliad gone about two leagues, we be^an'
to be liiingry ; and perceiving several large trees,
which formed an agreeable shade in the fields,
about two hundred paces from the highway, we
went thither to make a halt, and found a man,
seven or eight and twenty years old, soaking some
crusts in a fountain. A long sword lay by him on
the grass, with a haversack, of which he had un-
loaded his shoulders; and though he was poorly
clothed, he discovered a good shape and mien.—
We accosted him in a civil manner, upon which
he saluted us with great complaisance ; and pre-
senting his crusts, asked with a smile, if we would
be of his mess ; we answered, Yes, provided he
would give us leave to improve the repast, by
joining our breakfast with his. He freely consent-
ing, we immediately produced our victuals, which
afforded no unpleasing view to the stranger, who
cried in a transport of joy. "How, gentlemen!
egad, there's store of ammunition for the belly ! I
see you are provident people ; for my own part, I
seldom travel so well provided, but depend a good
deal upon chance. Notwithstanding my present
situation, however, I may say without vanity, that
I sometimes make a pretty brilliant appearance. —
You must know, that I am usually treated like a
prince, and have guards in my train.'' — " I under-
stand you (said Diego), you would intimate that
you are a player." — " You have hit it (replied the
other) ; I have acted these fifteen years at least ;

GIL BI.AS.

199

for I prrformed ^ome small parts while I was yet a
child." — " To bo j)lain with yon (said tlie barber,
<5liakin£5 his head), 1 can scarce believe what you
say. — I know what sort of people the comedians
are ; these gentlemen do not travel a-foot, and dine
with St. Anthony as yon do ; therefore I cannot
help thinking that you are no more than a candle-
snufter." — '* Yon may think of me as you please
(replied the stage-player) ; but I atlirm, that I act
the very top parts, and among the rest that of the
lover." — '' Tt'that be the case (said my comrade),
I congratulate you upon it ; and am very prond
that Signor Gil Clas and I have the honour to
breakfast with a person of such importance."

We then began to gnaw our crust:?, and the pre-
cious remains of the hare, bestowing such rude
embraces on the bottle, that it was empty in a very
short time ; and being so busy with what we were
about, that we scarce spoke one word during the
repast ; which being ended, the conversation was
thus resumed : — '' I am surprised (said the barber
to the player) to see you in such indifferent cir-
cumstances : for a stage hero, methinks, you liave
a very needy appearance, — you will pardon my
freedom." — '' Your freedom ! (cried the actor)
ah ! truly you are little accpiainted with Melchior
Zapata. Thank heaven, I am not at all excep-
tious : you do me a pleasure in speaking 9f»
frankly ; for I mvself love to tell my mind without

900

GIL BLAS.

reserve. I sincerely own I am not rich, — Look
(added he, shewing that his doublet was lined with
play-bills), this is the stuft' that usually serves me
for lining ; and if you have any curiosity to see
my wardrobe, it shall be forthwith gratified." At
the same time he took out of his knapsack an old
suit laced with tinsel, a sorry hat with some old
plumes of feathers, a pair of silk stockings, full of
holes, and red buskins very much worn. " You
see (said he), I am tolerably poor.'*—'* That's
what surprises me (replied Diego), So you have
neither wife nor daughter }"—'' I have a wife,
young and handsome (said Zapata), yet I am never
a bit the better for it, so wonderfully capricious is
my fate. I married a beautiful actress, in hopes
that she would not let me starve ; and unfortu-
nately for me, she is incorruptibly chaste. Wijo
the devil would not have been deceived as I was ?
There happened to be one virtuous woman among
the strollers, and she must fall to my lot !"—
'' Truly you have had bad luck (said the barber):
but why did not you marry an actress of the king's
company at Madrid, in which case you could not
have been disappointed?" — '' I grant it (replied
the player), but a plague upon it, a little country-
stroller dares not aspire to those famous heroines :
that is as much as an actor of the prince's com-
pany can do ; some of whom are even obliged to
Huitch in the city. — Luckily for them, the city is

GIL BLAS. 201

well stored, and they often light on yoke-fellows
not a whit inferior to those princesses who were
brought up behind the scenes."

" Have you never endeavoured (said my com-
panion to him) to be introduced into that com-
pany ? Must one have infinite merit to be admitted
into it?" — ''Good! (replied Melchior) you are
merry with your infinite merit — It i? composed
of twenty actors : ask their character in town, and
you will hear them finely handled. More than one
half deserve to carry the knapsack still ; but for
all that it is no easy matter to be received among
them. One must have money, or powerful friends,
to supply the want of talents — This I ought to
know, since lam just come from making a trial at
Madrid, where I have been hooted and hissed in a
hellish manner, although I deserved to be ap-
plauded to the skies ; for I roared, ranted, bur- "y
lesqued nature a hundred times ! and moreover,
in my declamation, clapped my clinched fist to my
princess's nose. — In a word, I performed in the
taste of the great actors in vogue ; and yet the
same audience that relished this behaviour in
them, could not endure it in me. —You see the
force of prejudice! wherefore, finding myself in-
capable of pleasing on that stage, and having
nothing to secure my reception in defiance of the
town, I am going back to jZamora, where I shall
rejoin my wife and comrades, who are not in the

no%

GIL BLAS.

most flourishing circunistances. God gsant (hat
we may not be obliged to beg our way to the next
town ; a misfortune which has already happened
to us more than once."

With these words (he prince of the drama
sprung up, shouldered his knapsack, girded on his
sword, and, at parting, pronounced with a theatri-
cal air, " Gentlemen, adieu ! may (lie gods exhaust
(heir bounties on you."— -'^ And you (replied
Diego), may you, at your return to Zamora,
behold your wife's condition and temper changed."
Signor Zapata no sooner shewed his heels than he
began to rehearse as he walked, and inmiediately
the barber and I hissed, to put him in mind of his
trial : the noise reacliing his ears, he thought he
still heard the cat-calls of Madrid : upon which he
looked back, and perceiving that we made merry
at his expense, far from being incensed at our
bufibonery, took all in good part, and continued
his noise, bursting into fits of laughter all the way.
We returned his mirtli with all our might; and
getting back into the high road, pursued our
journey.

GIL ULA8. 203

CHAP. IX.

T/te condition in which Diego finds his family ;
and an account of his rejoicings : after ichich
Gil Bias bids him farewell.

i J AviNG slept that night between Moyados and
Valpucsta, in a little village whose name I have
forgot, we arrived next day, abont eleven o'clock
in the forenoon, in the plain of Olmedo. " Signer
Gil Bias (said my comrade), there is the place of
my nativity, which I cannot behold again without
transport ; so natural is it to love one's country."
— '' Signor Diego (answered I), one who expresses
such regard for his native country might, I think,
have spoke of it a little more advantageously than
you have done : Olmedo seems to be a city, and
you told me it was only a village. It ought, at
least, to be dignified with the epithet of market-
town." — " I beg its pardon (replied the barber);
but 1 must own, that after having seen Madrid,
Toledo, Saragossa, and all the great cities 1
touched at in making my tour of Spain, I look
upon the small ones as villages." As we advanced
into the plain, we thought we observed a great
concourse of people near Olmedo ; and when we
were near enough to discern objects, we found
something to attract our attention.

204

GIL BLAS.

There were three tents pitched at a small dis-
tance from one another, and hard-bj a great num-
ber of cooks and scullions preparing a feast. Some
laid the cloth on long tables, placed under the
tents ; some filled earthen pitchers with wine :
others made the pots boil, and others again turned
spits that were loaded with all sorts of meat : but
what I considered more attentivelj than all the
rest was a great stage, raised and adorned with
decorations of painted paper of different coiourh,
and ffarnished with Greek and Latin devices. The
barber no sooner perceived the inscriptions than
he said, '' All these Greek mottoes savour strongly
of my uncle Thomas, who, I'll hold a wager, has
a hand in the business, for, between you and me^
lie is a learned man, and has a power of college
books by heart : his greatest fault is, that he
incessantly quotes passages from them in conver-
sation, which is not agreeable to every body.
Besides (added he) my uncle has translated a good
many Greek and Latin authors, and is quite master
of the ancients, as one may see by the learned
remarks which he has made : had it not been for
him, we should never have known, that in the city
of Athens children cried when they were flogged:
wc owe tliat discovery to his profound erudition."

After my comrade and I had observed all those
things which I have mentioned, we were curious
to know the cause of such preparations, and went
forward to inquire, when Diego recognised the

GIL BLAS. 205

director of the feast. Signer Thomas de la Faenta,
whom he accosted with great eagerness. The
school-master did not, at first, know the young
barber; so much was he altered during an absence
of ten years : but recollecting him at last, he em-
braced him afi'cctionately, saying, " AVhat! do I
see thee then, Diego, my dear nephew ? Do I see
thee return to tlic town where thou first sawest
the light ? Thou art come to visit thy household-
gods ; and heaven restores thee safe and sound to
thy kindred ! O day, thrice and four times happy !
O day, worthy to be marked with a white stone!
A world of changes have happened, my friend
(pursued he,) tliy uncle Pedro, the poet, has fallen
a victim to Pluto, having died three months ago.
That miser, wliile alive, was afraid of wanting the
necessaries of life. Argtnti pallebat am)rc. For
Jhough he received large pensions from several
grandees, he did not spend ten pistoles a-year for
his subsistence ; and was even served by a valet
whom he did not maintain. That fool, more sense-
less than the Grecian Aristippus, who ordered hig
slaves to throw away, in the deserts of Africa, the
riches they carried, as a burthen that incommoded
them in their march — he, I say, heaped np all the
gold and silver he could scrape together; and for
whom ? — for those very heirs he would not so much
as see. He died worth thirty thousand ducats,
which thy father, thy uncle Bertrand, and I, have
equally shared among us ; so that we are able to

206 GIL BLAS.

settle our children to our hearts' desire. M)' bro-
ther Nicholas has already disposed of thy sister
Theresa, whom he has given in marriage to the
son of one of our alcades. Conmihio junxit sta-
bilij 'propriumque dicavit. These nuptials, per-
formed under the most happy auspices, we have
celebrated these two days with such preparation ;
three tents being pitched in the plain, one for each
of the three heirs of Pedro, who in their turns,
bear the expense of the day. I wish thou hadst
arrived sooner, to have seen the beginning of our
rejoicings. The day before yesterday, when they
were married, thy father gave a sumptuous enter-
tainment, which was followed by a course of the
ring : thy uncle, the mercer, treated yesterday, and
regaled us with a pastoral feast ; ten of the gen-
teelest youths, and as many handsome maidens,
were dressed like shepherds, all the ribbons and
points in his shop being employed to adorn them.
— This gay company performed several dances,
and sung a thousand light and tender catches:
nevertheless, though nothing was ever more gal-
lant, the spectators did not seem to relish it, which
shews that pastoral is quite out of date.

" To-day (added he) every thing is to be at my
cost, and I will exhibit to the inhabitants of Olmedo
a shew of my own invention. Finis coronabit
opus. I have ordered a theatre to be raised, on
which (God willing) I will make my scholars re-
present a piece of my own composing, entitled.

GIL BLAS.

207

' Tlie Diversions of Muley Bugcntuf, King of
Morocco.' It will be extremely well acted because
I have scholars who declaim like the players of
Madrid ; they are the sons of fashionable people
living at Peniiaficld and Segovia, who are boarded
with me, and are become excellent actors under
my instruction. Their performance will appear to
be of a masterly stamp, ut ita dicam. With regard
to the piece, I shall say nothing, that thou mayest
enjoy the pleasure of surprise ; but only observe
that it must transport the spectators : for it is one
of those tragic subjects which wa\e the soul by
the images of death they present to the view. — I
am of Aristotle's opinion, that the chief end of
tragedy is to raise terror. Oh ! if I had attached
myself to the drama, I would have introduced
none but bloody-minded princes and heroic assas-
sins on the scene, and would have bathed myself
in gore : and in my tragedies not only the principal
persons but even their guards should have perished.
I would have murdered them all, to the very
prompter. In a word, my taste is horror : and
we see that such poems captivate the multitude,
support the luxury of the players, and enable the
author to live at his ease,"

Just as he had done speaking, we saw coming
out of the village into the plain a great concourse
of men and women. These were no other than
the new-married couple, accompanied by their
relations and friends, and preceded by ten or
twelve musicians, who, playing all together, per-

^08 GIL BLAS.

formed a most thundering conceit. Wc went up
to meet thera^ and Diego made himself known ;
upon which the whole assembly broke out into
shouts of joy. and every one was eager to embrace
him ; so that he was sufficiently employed in re-
ceiving their expressions of friendship. His whole
family, as well as all who were present, having
well nigh smothered him with caresses, his father
said to him, '' Welcome, Diego ; thou findest thy
parents somewhat bettered in their circumstances,
my child. I shall say no more at present, but ex-
plain myself more particularly by and bye." Mean
while the company, advancing into the plain, re-
paired to the tents, and sat down at the tables
that were covered ; and I and my companion,
whom I would not quit, dined with the bridegroom
and bride, who seemed to be very well matched.
The repast was pretty long, because the school-
Ffiaster had the vanity to furoisli three courses, in
order to excel his brothers, who had not treated
with sucli magnificence.

Afier the banquet, all the guests expressed
impatience to see the representation of Signor
Thomas's piece, not doubting (as they said) that
the production of such a fine genius would answer
their most sanguine expectation. Accordingly,
approaching the stage, before which the musicians
had already taken their seats, in order to play be-
tween the acts, every body, in the most profound
silence, waited for the beginning. The actors
appeared on the sccnce^ and the author^ with his

GIL BLA9.

209

poem in his hand, sat down on one side to prompt
them. It was not without reason that he told us
the piece was tragical ; for, in the first act, the
king of Morocco, hy way of recreation, shot
a hundred Moorish slaves with arrows : in the
second, he beheaded thirty Portuguese officers,
whom one of his captains had made prisoners of
war : and in the third and last, this monarch, mad
with his wives, set fire with his own hand to a
detached palace in which they were shut up, and
reduced them and it to ashes. The Moorish slaves,
as well as the Portuguese officers, were figures of
ozier, very artfully made : and the palace, com-
posed of paper, seemed all of a flame by an arti-
ficial fire-work. This conflagration, accompanied
with a thousand doleful shrieks, that scemcJ to
issue from the midst of the flames, concluded the
piece, and closed the scene in a very diverting
manner. The whole plain echoed with the ap-
plause that was given to such a fine tragedy,
which justified the good taste of the poet, and
shewed that he knew how to choose his subject.

I thought there was no more to be seen, after
the Diversions of Muley Bugehtuf ; but 1 was
mistaken ; for we were advertised of a new show
by the sound of drums and trumpets. This was a
distribution of prizes : Thomas de la Fuenta, to
make the feast more solemn, having ordered all
his scholars (as well those who were boaided with
him as the rest) to compose, and intending to

TOL. I, p

210 GIL BLAS.

bestow on those who had succeeded best, books
bought at Segovia with his own coin. Imme-
diately, therefore, two school-forms were brought
upon the stage, with a press full of littile books
handsomely bound ; then all the actors returned
upon the scene, and ranged themselves round
Signer Thomas, who looked as big as the head,
master of a college, and held a paper in his hand,
on which were written the names of those who
were to obtain the prizes : this he gave to the king
of Morocco, who began lo read it with a loud
voice ; and every scholar who was called, going
in a respectful manner, received a book from the
pedant, who was afterwards crowned with bays,
and ordered to sit down on one of the benches,
that he might be exposed to the admiration of the
crowd. Nevertheless, how desirous soever the
school-masf* r was of sending home the spectators
satisfied, he could by no means effect it ; because,
having distributed almost all the prizes among his
boarders, as the custom is^ the mothers of some of
the rest, being present, were offended : and openly
accused the pedant of partiality, in such a manner
that this ciikrtainment, which had hitherto been so
j^lorious for him, had like to have ended in mis-
chief, like the feast of the Lapithaj.

THE END OF THE SECOND BOOK,

GIL B L A S

SANTILLANE.

BOOK TIL

CHAP. I.

The arrival of Gil Bias at Madrid; uith an fC^
account of the first master ivhom he served in
that city.

XXAViNG slaid some time with the joung barber,
I afterwards joined a merchant of Segovia with
four mules, on which he had transported goods to
Valladolid, and was returning with them unloaded.
We became acquainted on the road, and he con-
ceived such a friendship for me, that he insisted
upon my lodging at his house when we arrived at
Segovia. There he detained me two days ; and
when I was ready to set out for Madrid, along with
a carrier, he entrusted me with a letter, which he
desired I would in person deliver according to the
direction, without telling me that it was a recom-

2\2

GIL BLAS.

niendation. I did not fail to present it to Signer
Mattheo Melendez, a woollen- draper, who lived
near the Sun-gate, at the corner of the Trunk-
niaker's-street ; and he no sooner opened it, and
read the contents, than he said, with a complaisant
air, '' Signor Gil Bias, Pedro Pelacio, my corres-
pondent, writes so pressinglj in your behalf, that I
cannot dispense with your Iodg;ing at my house.
He moreover entreats me to find a place for you ;
and I undertake the office with pleasure, being per-
suaded that I shall find no difficulty in procuring
for you a good settlement."

I accepted the offer of Melendez with so much
the more joy, as my finances were sensibly dimi-
nished : but I did not live long at his expense ;
for in eight days he gave mc to know, that he had
recommended me to a gentleman of his acquaint-
ance who wanted a valet de chambre ; and that in
all probability, I should be preferred to the post.
The gentleman coming in at that moment, "Signor
(said Melendez, shewing me to him) this is the
young man I uientioned to you. He is a youth of
honour and sobriety, and I can answer for his good
behaviour as much as for my own." The cavalier,
having looked at me attentively, said he liked my
countenance, and took me into his service. '^ He
may follow me now (added he), and I will instruct
him in his duty." At these words he bade the
merchant good-morrow, and conducting me into the
great street just by St. Philip's church, we entered

GIL BLAS.

.213

a pretty good house, one wing of which he pos-
sessed ; and, going up five or six steps of a stair,
he introduced me into a chamber, secured by two
strong doors, whicli he opened, and in the first I
perceived a small window grated with iron ;
through this chamber we went into another, where
there was a bed and other furniture, more calcu-
lated for convenience than show.

If my new master considered me attentively at
the house of Mclendtz, I examined liim with great
earnestness in my turn, lie was a man turned of
fifty, seemed to be serious and reserved, though
good-naturtd withal ; so that I conceived no bad
opinion of him. He put several questions to rae
about my family, and being satisfied with my an-
swers, " Gil Bias, (said he) I believe thou art a
sensible young fellow, and I am very glad to have
such an one in my service. As for thee, thou shalt
have no cause to complain : I will give thee six
rials a day for victuals, clothes, wages, and all,
exclusive of some little perquisites thou may'st
enjoy, and I am easily served ; for I keep no table,
but always dine abroad. — All that thou hast to do
in a morning is to clean my clothes, and thou shalt
be at thy own disposal during the rest of the day :
take care only to tome back early in the evening,
and wait for me at the door. This is all I exact."
After having thus prescribed my duty, he took out
his purse, and gave me six rials as a beginning to
i'ulfil articles ; then going out, he locked the doors

214 GIL BLAS.

himself, and putting the keys in his pocket,
*' Friend (said he) don't follow me; go where you
please, but be sure to be on the stair when I return
in the evening." So saying, he left rae to dispose
of myself as I should think proper.

" In good faith, Gil Bias (said I to myself) thou
couldst not Iiave found a better master : what ! to
light on a man who, for brushing his clothes and
helping him to dress of a morning, gives me six
rials per day, with liberty to walk and take ray
diversions like a scholar during the vacation !
Egad, this is the happiest of all situations ! No
wonder that I was so desirous of being at Madrid ;
I had certainly some supernatural intimation of the
happiness that awaited me." I spent the day in
strolling about the streets, diverting myself with
looking at every thing that was new to me, and
this gave me sufficient employment. In the
evening, after having supped at an eating-house
not far from our lodgings, I betook myself to the
place whither my master had ordered me to repair,
and where he himself arrived three quarters of an
hour after me, seemingly well pleased with my
punctuality. '* Very well (said he), this is right: I
love to see servants attentive to their duty." So
saying, he opened the doors of his apartment, and
shut them again as soon as we had got in : being
in the dark, he took a tinder-box and struck a
light, by the help of which I assisted to undress
him. When he was a-bed, I lighted by his order.

GIL BLAS. 215

a lamp that stood in his chimney^ and carried the
candle into the aiiti-chainber, where I \A'ciit to sleep
in a bed without curtains. — Next rnorniii';' he got
up between nine and Un o'clock, and when I had
dusted his clothes, counted me six more rials, and
dismissed me till the evening : after which he went
out also, not without locking his doors with great
care ; so we parted again for the remaining part
of the day.

Such was our manner of living, which I found
very agreeable ; and the best joke of all was, I did
not know my master's name : IMelendc :z himself
was ignorant of it, being only acquainted with him
as a gentleman who came sometimes to his shop,
and bought cloth of him as he had occasion for it.
Our neighbours could give me no better informa-
tion ; all of them assuring me that my master was
utterly unknown to then), although he had lived
two years in the ward. They told me that he
Tisitcd nobody in the neighbourhood ; and some
of them, accustomed to make rash inferences, con-
cluded from thence that he was no better than he
should be. They went still farther, suspecting
him to be a spy of the king of Portugal, and
charitably advertised me of the suspicion, that I
miglit take my measures accordingly. I was dis-
turbed at this advice; and reflected, that if the
thing was so, I should run the risk cf visiting the
prison of Madrid. I could not^ confide in my in-
nocence, my past misfortunes having taught me to
dread justice ; for I had found by experience, that

216

(ilL BLAS.

if she docs not put tho irjiioccnt to death;, she at
least treats them with so iilllc hospitality, that her
lodgers are always in a very melancholy situation.
In such a delicate coujuncturc I consulted Mc-
Icodez, who did not know how to advise me; fofj
if^ he could not believe that my master was a spy,
on the other hand^ he had no certain reason to
think other .vise ; so that I resolved to observe my
patron narrowly, and to leave him if I should per-
ceive that he was undoubtedly an enemy to the
state ; hiii I thought prudence, and the easiness of
my place, required that i should be first perfectly
sure of his practices. With this view I began to
keep a strict eye over his actions ; and, in order to
sound him, '' Sir (said I, one evening, while i un-
dressed him) one does not know how to live so as
to avoid slander : the world is very malicious, and
we, among others, are very little obliged to our
neiglibours. You cannot guess in what manner
the malicious creatures talk of us."—'' Right, Gil
Bias (answered he), but what can they say of us,
child ?"—*' Ah! truly (I replied), scandal never
wants inalter. Virtue herself furnishes food for it.
Our neighbours say that we are dangerous people,
and deserve to be taken notice of by the govern-
ment. In a word, you are thought to be a spy for
ihc king of Portugal. Wliile I pronounced these
words, I looked hard at iwy master, as Alexander*

* Alexander the Great having received a leUer, intimating
that his i>hysician intended to poison hiui, took the cup of
ffiedicinc \vhii( h he preseribcd, and bvvaliovvinj; it without

GIL BLAS. 217

ejred his p!i}'sician ; and employing all my [)Ciicira-
tion to discover what effect my report produced in
him, thought I observed an emotion that too well
agreed with the conjectures of tlie neighbourhood,
and he fell into a fit of musing, upon which I did
not put the most favourable construction ; but ])C
soon recovered himself, and said, with an air of
tranquillity, " Gil Bias, let our neighbours think
as they please, witliout njaking our peace depend
on their imaginations ; and since we give (hem no
cause to think amiss of us, let their opinion give
us no uneasiness."

Upon this he went to bed, and I followed his
example, without knowing what to think of the
matter. Next day, just as we were going out in
the morning, we heard a loud rap at the outward
door ; my master opened the other, and looking
through the small grate, saw a decent sort of a man
at it, who said, " Signer cavalier, I am an alguazil,
and come hither to tell you that the corregidor
would speak with you." — " What docs he want
with me?" (replied my patron) — "That I am
ignorant of, Signor (said the alr^uazil) : but if you
will take the trouble to go to his house, you will
soon know." — " I am his most humble servant
(resumed my master) but have no manner of

hesitation, put the lelttr iiito the siispectc«l person's hand,
fising his eye steadfastly upon hiin, while he read it, in order
to distinguish in his countenance the tigns of innocence or
guilt.

218 aiL BLAS.

business with him. " So saying, he shut the second
door : and having walked up and down for some
time, like one alarmed at the discourse of the al-
guazil, put six rials into my hand, saying, " Gil
Bias, thou raay'st go out, my friend. I do not in-
tend to go abroad so early, and have no further
occasion for thee this morning." These words
made me believe that the fear of being apprehended
obliged him to stay at home ; so that when I left
him, in order to see if my suspicions were unjust,
I hid myself in a place from whence I could see
him if he should come out : and should have had
the patience to stay there the whole morning, had
he not spared me that trouble. But an hour
after, I saw him walking in the street with an
air of assurance that at first confounded my pene-
tration ; but, far from being duped by those ap-
pearances, I distrusted them, having no favourable
opinion of the man, I looked upon his composure
as a piece of affectation, and even imagined that
his remaining at home was with a view of securing
his gold and jewels ; and that in all probability,
he would consult his safety by immediate flight.
I did not expect to see him again, and hesitated
about going in the evening to give my attendance
at the door ; so sure I was that he would quit the
city instantly, to escape from the danger that
threatened him. I did not fail, however, of being
there ; and, to my utter surprise, my master re-
turned at his usual time, went to bed without

GIL BLAS. 219

shewing the least uneasiness^ and got up next day
with the same tranquillity.

^> hen we had done dressing, somchody knocked
at the door ; upon which my master, looking
through the grate, perceived the same alguazil,
who had been there the preceding day, and asked
what he wanted. " Open (answered the alguazil)
here is monsieur the corregidor*." At this formi-
dable name my blood froze in my veins ; for I was
cursedly afraid of these gentlemen since I had
passed through their hands ; and wished that mo-
ment to be a hundred leagues from Madrid ; but
my patron^ less afraid than I, opened the door, and
received the judge with great respect. " You see
(said the corregidor to him) I do not come to your
lodgings with many attendants, being desirous of
doing every thing with as little noise as possible :
and I believe that you deserve this respect, not-
withstanding the ugly reports that are spread of
you. Tell me, therefore, your name, and business
at Madrid." — '' Signor (replied my master), I was
born in New Castile, and my name is Don Bernard
de Castel Blazo ; with regard to my business, I
divert myself in walking, frequenting shows, and
enjoying the agreeable conversation of a few select
friends." — '* Doubtless (said the judge) you have
a great income." — " No, Sir (resumed my patron,
interrupting him), I have neither rents, lands, nor

* The correijidor is the chief civil magislralc in every city
of Spain, appointed by the king.

220 GIL BLA5.

house." — " How do jou live then ?" (replied the
corregidor) — *' On tliat which jou shall see,"
(said Don Rernard) — at the same time, he lifted
up a hanging-, opened a door which I had not
before observed, then another behind that, and
carried the judge into a closet, where he shewed
him a great trunk filled with pieces of gold.

Then he went on ; " Signor, you know that the
Spaniards are enemies to work : nevertheless, how
averse soever thej may be to trouble, I may safely
say that I excel thera all in that particular ; having
a fund of laziness that renders me incapable of
any manner of employment. If I had a mind to
dignify my vices, I would call this laziness a philo-
sophical indolence, the work of a mind weaned
from every thing that is most ardently pursued in
life. But I will frankly own that I am constitu-
tionally idle : and so idle, that if I was under a
necessity of working for my livelihood, I believe I
should let myself die of hunger. With a view,
therefore to lead a life agreeable to my humour, to
free myself from the trouble of ujanaging my estate,
and above all things to save myself the trouble of
a steward, I have converted my whole patrimony,
consisting of several considerable inheritances,
into ready money. In this trunk are fifty thousand
ducats ; more than I shall ever have occasion for,
was I to live another age; for I don't spend a
thousand a year, and am already turned of fifty.
I am not at all afraid of what is to happen ; for.

GIL BLA8. 221

thank heaven ! I am not addicted <o any one of
the three things which commonly bring- men to
ruin ; I am not a slave to my stomacli, I play only
for amusement, and am quite cured of women. So
that I am under no apprehcMision of being ranked
in my old age among those voluptuous dotards
who purchase the favours of courtesans at an
extravagant price."

" What a happy man you are ! (said the cor-
regidor)you are very unjustly suspected of behig a
spy ; that office being very unfit for a person of
your character. Proceed, Don Bernard (added
he) ; continue the life you now lead, and, far from
disturbing your happiness, I declare myself the
guardian of it ; I beg the favour of your friendship,
and offer you mine in return." — " Ah, Signor !
(cried my master, penetrated with these obliging
expressions) I accept the precious offer you make
with equal joy and respect; for, in vouchsafing me
your friendship, you increase my wealth and
crown my felicity," After this conversation, which
the alguazil and I overheard at the closet door, the
corregidor took his leave of Don Bernard, who
could not enough express his gratitude; while I,
to second my master and assist him in doing the
honours of the house, overwhelmed the alguazil
with civilities, making a thousand profound bows,
though, in the bottom of my soul, I harboured
that disdain and aversion which every man of
honour has for one of his occupation.

2S2 GIL BLAS.

CHAP. II.

The astonishment of Gil Bias when he met
Captain Rolando at 3Iadrid, and the curious
things which that robber recounted to him.

»i,<

Don Bernard de Castel Blazo, after having
waited upon the corregidor to the street^ returned
with expedition to lock his strong box, and all his
doors that secured it. Then we went out both
\ery well satisfied ; he for having acquired a
powerful friend, and I for being now ensured in
my six rials a day. The desire I had to recount
this adventure to Melendez made me take the road
to his house, which, when I had almost reached, I
perceived Captain Rolando. I was confounded at
finding hira in this place, and could not help
shivering at sight of him ! He knew me at once,
accosted me very gravely, and preserving still his
air of superiority, ordered me to follow him. I
obeyed with fear and trembling, saying to myself,
*' Alas ! he will doubtless make me pay what I owe
him. Whither will he lead me ? perhaps to some
subterranean abode in this city. A plague upon it !
if I thought so, I would let him see in a hurry that
I have not got the gout in my toes." As I walked
behind him, I resolved to take particular notice of

GIL BL.4S. ti3

the place where he should stop, from which I pro-
posed to scamper off as fast as my legs would carry
me, should it seem the least suspicious.

But Rolando soon banished my fear, by going
into a noted tavern, whither I followed him ; and
where he called for the best wine, and bespoke
dinner ; in the mean time we went into a room by
ourselves, where the captain spoke in this manner :
" Thou must be surprised, Gil Bias, to meet thy
old commander in this place ; and wilt be more
so still when thou shalt hear what I am going to
relate. That day on which I left thee in our subter-
ranean retreat, and set out for Mansilla with my
whole company, in order to dispose of the mules
and horses which we had taken the preceding day,
it was our fortune to meet the son of the corregidor
of Leon in his coach, accompanied by four men on
horseback well armed. We made two of them bite
the dust, and the others betake themselves to
flight ; while the coachman, afraid of his master's
life, cried, in a suppliant voice, ' O, dear gentle-
men ! in the name of God, do not kill the only son
of the corregidor of Leon.' My people did not at
all relent at these words, which, on the contrary,
inspired them with fury : ' Gentlemen (said one
among us), let not the son of our mortal enemy
escape : how many people of our profession hath
his father put to death ! let us avenge them now,
and sacrifice this victim to their manes.' The rest
of my men approved of this proposal ; and even

224 GIL BLAS.

my lieutenant prepared to act the high-priest in
this ceremony, v/heii I held his hands, saving";,
' Stop, at your peril ! Why should we shed blood
unnecessarily ? Let us be satisfied with the purse
of tliis young- man, whom (since he makes no
resistance) it would be tiie utmost barbarity to
kill : besides, he is not accountable for the actions
of his father, who does no more than his duty in
condemning us to death ; just as we do ours,
in rifling' travellers on the highway.'

" My intercession was Air from being unservice-
able to ihe corregidor's son, from whom we took
nothing but his money ; and having carried oft' the
horses of the two men we had slain, wc sold them,
together with our own, at Mansiila ; then return-
ing to our cavern, which we reached next day
before it was light, we were not a little astonished
to find the trap-door lifted up : and our surprise
redoubled when we saw Leonarda fettered in the
kitchen. Being briefly informed by her of what
bad happened, we wondered how thou couldst
outwit us, never having thought thee capable of
playing such a eleven trick, and we forgave thee
on account of the invention. Having untied our
cook-maid, and given orders to dress victuals for
us, we went to look after our horses in the stable,
where the old negro, who had received no suste-
nance for four and twenty hours, was at the last
gasp. We would have given him all the assistance
in our power, but he had lost his sciises, and was

GIL BLAS. 2^i>

otherwise so low, that, notwithstanding our good-
will, v,e left the poor devil in the clutches of
death. This did not deprive us of our appetite,
which having satisfied with a sumptuous meal, we
retired to our several chambers, and slept the rest
of the day. When wo got up, Leonarda let us
know that Domingo was no more, upon which we
carried him to the cellar, where thou mayest remem-
ber thy bed was, and there performed his funeral
obsequies, as if he had enjoyed' the hono".r of being
our companion.

"^ Five or six davs after it happened, that, in-
tending to make an excursion, we one morning, on
the skirts of the wood, fell in with three troops
belonging to the holy brotherhood, who seemed
waiting in order to attack iis. As wc perceived
only one of the three at first, we despised it,
though niore numerous than our company, and
attacked it accordingly ; but while wc were en-
gaged with this, the other two, which had found
means liilhcrto to keep tlicmselves concealed,
rushed upon us so suddenly, that our valour was
of little or no service, and we were under a
necessity of yielding to the numbers of the foe.
Our lieutenant and two of our men fell on the
field, while the two that remained and I, were so
hemmed in and overpowered that we were taken
prisoners; and while two of their troops con-
ducted us to Leon, the third went and destroyed
our retreat, which had been discovered as follows :

TOL. I. (^

226 6IL BLAS,

a peasant of Luceno, crossing the forest in his
return home, perceived by accident the trap-door
of our cavern lifted up, that verj day on which thou
madest thy escape with the lady ; and suspecting
that it was the place of our abode, had not courage
to go in, but contented himself with taking a good
observation of the place, which the better to mark,
he cut off, with his knife, thin slices of bark from
the trees at small distances as he went along, until
he had got quite out of the wood ; then, repairing
to Leon, imparted his discovery to the corregidor,
who, receiving it with so much the more joy, as
his son had been robbed by our company, assembled
three troops in order to apprehend us, and the
peasant was their guide.

" My arrival furnished a show for all the inha-
bitants of Leon : had I been a Portuguese general
made prisoner of war, the people could not have
been more eager to see me. * Behold (said they),
behold the famous captain who was the terror of
this country : and who, with his two comrades,
deserves to have his flesh torn from his bones with
red hot pincers.' Being carried before the cor-
regidor, he began to insult me, (saying,) • Well
miserable wretch ! heaven, wearied with the dis-
orders of thy life, at last resigns thee to my justice.
— ' Sir (replied I), if my crimes are manifold, at
least I cannot reproach myself with the death of
your only son, whose life I preserved, for which
you owe me some acknowledgment.' — ' Ah,

GIL BLAS.

227

miscreant ! (cried he) people of thy character are
not entitled to the privileges of honour : and even
if I had 'a mind to save thj life, the duty of my
office would not allow me.* Having spoke to nse
in this manner, he ordered us to be imprisoned in
a dungeon, where he did not let my companions
linger long ; for they went out, in three days, to
act their last tragical sceiie in the market-place.
As for me, I remained three whole weeks in gaol,
imagining that my punishment was deferred in
order to make it more terrible; and was in expec-
tation of a death altogether new ; when the cor-
regidor^ ordering me to be brought into his pre-
sencCj said, ' Listen to thy sentence: — Thou art
free ! Had it not been for thee, my only son would
have been murdered on the highway. As a father,
I was willing to acknowledge this piece of service,
but not having it in my power to acquit thee as a
judge, I have written to court in thy behalf, soli-
cited thy pardon, and obtained it. Thou niayest
go then whither thou shalt please : but (added he),
take my advice, reflect seriously on thy ill-spent
life, and from henceforth quit the profession of
robbery.'

'• I was deeply affected with these words, and
took the road to Madrid, resolving to turn over a
new leaf, and live honestly in that city. I found
my parents were dead, and their effects in the hands
of an old relation, who gave me such a faithful
account of them, as guardians commonly do ; all

^28 GIL ELAS,

that I have been able to touch being no more thara
three thousand ducats, which, in all probability, is
not above one fourth of what is my due. But
what course could I take ? I should gain nothing
by going to law ; therefore, to avoid idleness, I
have purchased the place of an alguazil. My
brethren, out of decency, would have opposed my
adraission^iad (hey been acquainted with ray story,
which luckily they were ignorant of, or pretended
to be so, which is the same thing ; for in that
honourable corps it is the business of every indivi-
dual to conceal his own exploits : thank heaven !
not one of us can justly reproach his fellow : so
that it may be said of the fraternity, the devil may
take the best. Nevertheless, my friend (added
Rolando), I will now disclose the bottom of my
soul : the profession which 1 have embraced is not
at all to my liking ; it requires a behaviour too
delicate and mysterious for me ; and whatever
tricks we practise must be very crafty and secret.
O, how I regret my old profession ! I grant, there
is more safety in this new employment ; but there
was more pleasure in the other, and liberty is ray
delight. In all likelihood I shall get rid of my
office, and set out one morning for the mountains
at the source of the river Tagus, where I know
there is a retreat inhabited by a numerous com-
pany, chiefly of Catalonians (that is making their
eulogium in one word) ; if you wilt accompany me,
we will go and increase the number of these great

GIL BLAS.

229

men : I shall be second captain in their company,
and will., for thv better reception, assure them that
I have seen thee ten times engaged by my side ; I
will extol thy valour to the skies^ and say more in
thy praise tlian a general says of an officer whom
he wants to promote. I will take care not to men-
tion a word of the trick thou hast played, because
it would irake them suspicious of thee :^he adven-
ture shall therefore be concealed. Well (added
he), art thou ready to follow my fortune ? — I wait
for thy reply."

*' So many men, so many minds (said I to
Rolando), you arc born for hardy deeds, and I for
a quiet and easy life." — " Oh ! I understand you
(cried he, interrupting me), the ladv whom love
persuaded you to rescue, still keeps possession of
your heart, and doubtless you lead a happy life
with her in Madrid : confess, ]Mr. Gil Bias, that
you have taken lodgings for her, and spend toge-
ther the pistoles which you carried off from the
subterranean retreat." I told him that he was
mistaken, and that, in order to undeceive him, I
would, while we should be at dinner, relate the
story of the lady : this I did accordingly, and
informed him of all that had happened to me since
I quitted the company. Towards the end of our
repast, he resumed the subject of the Catalonians,
owned that he was determined to join them, and
made a new attempt to engage me in the same
resolution : but finding that I was not to be per-

220 GIL EL AS.

suadcd, he darted a fierce look at me, sajing, in a
verj serious tone, " Since tbou hast such a grovel-
ing* soul as to prefer thy servile condition to the
honour of associating with men of courage, I
abandon thee to the baseness of thj inclination :
but listen to the words I am about to pronounce, and
let them renuiin ej:graven on thy memory : forget
that thou hast met me to-day, and never talk of me
from henceforth : for if ever I shall hear that thou
so much as namest me in conversation — thou
knowest me — 1 will say no more." Having thus
expressed himself, he called to pay, discharged the
bill, and we got up in order to part.

CHAP. ilL

lie is dismissed by Don Bernard dc Castel
Blfi^o, and eiders into the service of a beau.

-As we went out of the tavern, and were taking
leave of one another, my master, happening to pass,
saw me, and I perceived looked hard at the cap-
tain, which made nie believe that he was surprised
to find me acquainted with such a figure. Certain
it is, llic^t the appearance of Rolando could not
prepossess people^ in his favour : for he was a very
tali fellow, with a long visage and hook nose ; and

GIL BLAI. SSI

though not ugly, had very much ihe air of ajauk
sharper.

I was not deceived in my conjectures ; for, in the
evening, I found Don Bernard still harping on the
captain's figure, and extremely well disposed to
believe all the fine tilings I could have said of him,
had not my mouth been shut. Gil Bias (said he),
who is that tall sponger in whose company I saw
thee to-day ?" I replied, " He is an alguazil ;"
and thought he would rest satisfied with that an-
swer : but he asked a great many other questions ;
and as I appeared embarrassed, because I remem-
bered the threat of Rolando, he broke off the con-
versation abruptly, and went to bed. Next morn-
ing when I had done my duty as usual, instead of
six rials, he gave me as many ducats ; saying,
" Hold, my friend, here is what I give thee for
having served me hitherto : go, and seek for another
place, for I cannot put up with a servant who has
such honourable acquaintances." I took it in my
head to pretend, in ray own justification, that my
acquaintance with the alguazil was occasioned by
my having prescribed for him while I practised
physic at Valladolid. " Very well, (replied my
master) that is an ingenious evasion : but thou
shouldst have thought of it last night, and not have
been so much disconcerted." — " Sir (added I), I
thought it would be imprudent in me to tell it:
and thr.t was the cause of my confusion." — " O !
surely (replied he, clappiug my shoulderi gently),

GIL BLAd,

you have been very priidciit ; I did nci ihmk thou
hadst been so cunning. Go, child, I have 1:0 fur-
ther occasion for thee/'

I v.entiiiStanlly to inform Melendez of this piece
of bad ncwS;, who told nic% for my consolation, that
he iniciided to i:itroduce ine into a better family :
and accordingly, a few days aftei-, ''Gil Bias, my
friend (said he), you don't know what good news I
have to tell you ; you are goiijg to enjoy the most
agreeable post you could desire; for I will settle
you with Don Matlhias de Silva, a man of the first
quality, and one of those young lords who go
under the denomination of bcaus : he does me the
honour to buy cloih of n)e, on trust, indeed : but
there is nothing to be lost hy people of his rank;
for llicv conunoidy marry rich heiresses, who pay
their debts: and even if that should not happen, a
tradesman, v.'ho understands his business, sells
always so dear that he can afford to lose three-
fourths of his bargain. The steward of Don Mat-
lhias is my particular friend. Let us go to him
now : he will him>elf present you to his master ;
and you may depend upon it, he will, for my sake,
treat you with unconunou regard,"

III our way to the hou-e of Don Matthias, the
merchant said, " It will not be amiss, I believe, to
give you some information of the character of this
steward, whose iiuii-.e is Gregorio Rodriguez. Be-
tv.cen you and me, he is a jnan of no family, who,
tinding himself born for business^ followed the bent

GIL BLAS.

233

of his genius, and enriched himself with the pillage
of two families which he served in quality of
steward, I assure you he has a great deal of
vanity, and loves to see the rest of the servants
cringe to him. They must address themselves first
to him, when they have the least favour to ask of
their master, for, should it happen that they obtain
it without his interest, l:c has always expedients in
readiness by which it will either be revoked or
rendered ineffectual. Remember this, Gil Bias, is
the regulation of your conduct : pay your court to
Signor •lodriguez, ])referable to your master him-
self, and do all that lies in your power to please
him : his fiiend>hip uill bestead you much : he will
pay your wages punctually; and, if you are dexte-
rous enough to acquire his confidence, he may give
you some pretty bone to pick out of the number he
has in his possession. Don Matthias is a young
lord who minds nothing but his pleasure, and
would not for the world inform himself of the state
of his own affairs. What a glorious family is that
for a steward."

Arriving at 'the house, we desired to speak with
Signor Rodriguez, who, we were told, was in his
own apartment ; there we found him with a kind
of farmer, who had a blue canvas bag of money in
his hand. The steward, who looked more pale and
yellow than a girl oppressed with her maidenhead,
came towards Melendez with open arms ; he, on
the other hand, met him in the same manner, and

234

GIL BLAS.

they embraced ojie another with demonstrations of
friendship, in which there was, at least, as much
art as uaturc. Then utv affair coming on the
carpet, Rodriguez examined me fiom head to foot,
and told me, in a vf^vj polite manner, that I was
just sueli an one as Don Matthias wanted, and that
he would with pleasure present mc to that lord.
Upon which, Melendez letting him know how
much he was interested in my behalf, and begging
that he would favour me with his protection, com-
mitted me to his care, and, after abundance of
compliments, withdrew. He was no sooner gone,
than Rodriguez said to me, " I will conduct jou
to my master as soon as I can dispatch this honest
countryman." Then going to the peasant, and
taking hold of tlie bag, *' Talego (said he), let us
see if there be just five hundred pistoles here."
Having counted the money, and found it right, he
gave the farmer a discharge for the sum, and sent
him about his business ; and putting the pistoles
into the bag again, addressed himself to me, say-
ing, '' This is the right time for us to go to the
levee of my master, who commonly rises about
noon. It is near the hour, and I suppose he is

'■!'■'•

This was the case ; we found Don Matthias in
his morning-gown, lolling in aji easy chair, over
an arnj (-f which he had tilted one of his legs, and
poised himself by leaning with his body the other
way, and rasping tobacco, while he talked to a

GIL BLAS.

23:

footman, who for the present did the dulj of his
valet de chambre. *' My lord (said the >h \v:ird to
him)j here is a youns: iDan \vhoni I take tl:e liberty
to present as one fit to IiU the place of the valet
whom you dismissed two days ago. Melendez,
your draper, recommends him, assuring me that he
is a lad of merit, and I hope your lordship will be
very well satisfied with his behaviour." — "Enough,
(answered the young lord) since you introduce him
to me, I receive him into my service with implicit
faith, and make him my valet de chambre. So
that affair is settled ; but, Rodriguez (added he)
let us talk of something else : you are come very
opportunely ; for I was just going to send for you.
I have bad news to tell you, my dear Rodriguez !
You must know I bad ill luck at play last night.
Together with a hundred pistoles which I had
about me, I have lost two hundred more on my
parole ; and you know of what importance it is for
people of quality to discharge that sort of debts;
it is indeed the only kind which we are obliged iu
point of honour to pay : and we do not give our-
selves much concern about the rest : you jnust,
therefore, find two hundred pistoles, immediately,
and send them to the Countess of Pedrosa." — '* Sir
(said the steward), it is sooner said than done.
Where shall I get that sum to please you ? I have
not been able to finger one farthing of your tenants,
let me threaten as hard as I can ? and yet 1 am
obliged to maintain your family in an honourable

236

GIL 11 LAS.

Vfny, tliougli 1 cwciit bioodand \Yiiter in procuring
wherewithal to defray the expense. True, indeed,
I have liiiherto, thank heaven! made shift? but I
am now reduced to such extremity t!jut I know
Slot what saint in htavcri to invoke." — " All these
harangues are useless (cried Don Mathias^ inter-
rupting iiiin), and you v^orry me with your reflec-
tions. Don't you imagine, Rodriguez, that I -will
change iny disposition, and divert myself with
looking into my own affairs. An agreeable amuse-
ment, truly, for a niun ni pleasure like nie !" —
^' Have a little patience (replied the steward), at
the rate you go on, I foresee that you will be rid of
that care iii awry short time." — '' You fatigue me,
(said the young lord in a passion), you jnurder me.
—Give me leave to ruin myself imperceptibly ; I
tell yos! ! want two hundred pistoles; and I must
have them." — '' I'll go then (said Rodriguez), and
have recourse io the little old man who has already
lent yoi! money at high interest." — '' You may, if
you please, have recourse to the devil (answered
Don IVIatthias), provided I have the two hundred
pistoles, I shall give myself no further trouble
about the njalter."

Just as he had pronounced these words in a
hasty and discontented manner, the steward went
away, and a young man of quality, called Don
Antonio Centelles, came in. " What is the matter ?
(said this last to my master) thou art cloudy, my
friend : I perceive indignation in thy countenance.

GIL BLAS;

23'

What can have put you into this bad liuniour ?
I'll lav a \vagcr it was the man whom I met going
out." — " Yes (replied Don Matthias), it was my
steward ; every time he comes to speak with me, I
suffer for one quarter of an hour, by his talking
about my alVairs, and saying tliat I have quite ex-
hausted my finances. Impertinent beast ! he can-
not say that he loses by me, I am sure." — " Why,
child (said Don Ai.tonio), I am in the same condi-
tion, having a factor not a whit more reasonable
than thy steward. When the rogue, in obedience
to my repeated orders, brings nioney for me, one
M^ould think he gave it out of his own pocket.
He overwhelms me with reflections. ' Sir (says he),
you are undone, your rents are seized.' Upon
which I am obliged to cut him short, in order to
put an end to his ridiculous discourse." — " The
misfortune is (said Don Matthias), we cantiot live
without these people, who are necessary evils." —
*' They are so (replied Ccntelles), but harkee
(added he, laughing with all his might), there is a
comical thought come into my head : a most in-
comparable conception ! by whicli we may convert
those scenes which we have with them into mirth ;
and divert ourselves with that which now gives
us so much uneasiness. Let me demand of thy
steward all the money thou shalt have occasion
for ; while thou dost tiio same by my manager;
then thoy may moralise as they please, we can
hear them with great composure; because thy

23S GIL BLAS.

steward will shew me thy accounts, and my factor
will entertain thee with mine. I shall hear of
nothing but thy profusions, and thou will see no-
thing but mine. This will be admirable sport."

A thousand bright strokes succeeded this sally,
and mightily diverted the young lords, who con-
versed together with a great deal of vivacity, until
their discourse was interrupted by Gregorio Rodri-
guez, who returned with a little old man, almost
quite bald. Don Antonio would have gone away,
saying, '^' Adieu, Don Matthias, I shall see you
by and bye ; at present, you have, doubtless, some
serious afiair to discuss with these gentlemen/' —
" O ! not at all (replied my master), stay, it is no
secret. That discreet old person whom you see is
an honest man, who lends me money at the rate of
twenty per cent." — *' How ? twenty per cent (cried
Centellcs, with an air of astonishment). Egad, I
congratulate thee upon being in such good hands !
I am not so kindly dealt with, and may say that I
purchase silver at the price of gold ; I commonly
borrow at the rate of forty in the hundred." —
'^ Heavens ! what extortion (exclaimed the old
usurer) do these knaves ever think of another
world ? I am not at all surprised at the hue and
cry raised against people who lend upon interest ;
it is the exorbitant profit which some exact that
rums our honour and reputation, if all my bre-
thren were like me, we should not be so much re-
viled : for my sole view in lending is to befriend

GIL BLAI. *23d

raj fellow creatures. Ah ! if times \vere as they
have been, I would offer you my purse without
interest : and truly in spite of the present scarcity
I can hardly prevail upon myself to take twenty per
cent. But, for my part, I believe money has re-
tired again within the bowels of the earth : tliere
is no such thing to be had ; for which reason I am
obliged to retrench my benevolence.

" How much do you want ?" (added he, address-
ing himself to my master). " I must have two
hundred pistoles," (replied Don Matthias). '' Here
are four hundred in a bag (said the usurer), you
shall have one half." So saying, he pulled from
under his cloke a blue bag, which seemed to be the
very same which the peasant Talego had left with
the five hundred pistoles in the hands of Rodri-
guez. I soon knc^w what to think of the matter,
and found that Matthias had not praised the stew-
ard's understanding without cause. The old man
having emptied the bag on the table, began to
count the money, my master was inflamed with
desire of possession at the sight ; and struck vv^fh
the totality of the sum, said to the usurer, " Signer
Dcficomulgado, I have made a very wise reflection,
truly ! W hat a foul I am ! to borrow no more than
what is absolutely necessary to disengage my
parole, without considering that I have not a
penny in my purse. I shall be obliged to have re-
course to you to-morrow ; therefore, to spare you
the trouble of coming back, I think it will not be

240 GIL BLAS.

amiss to pocket the whole four hundred." — '' My
lord (said the usurer), a part of this money was
designed for a good licentiate, who has some fat
benefices, which he charitably employs in persuad-
ing joung girls to retire from the world, and in
furnishing their retreats. But, since you have
occasion for the whole sum, it is at your service :
all that I desire is sufficient security." — " Oh ! as
for security (said Rodriguez, interrupting him,
and taking a paper out of his pocket), you shall be
satisfied ; here is an order to be signed by Don
Matthias, for five hundred pistoles^ upon one of
his tenants, called Talego, a rich farmer of Monde-
jan." — '' Very well (replied the usurer), I never
make many words." Upon which the steward
presented a pen to his master, who without read-
ing the order, set his name to the bottom, whistling
all the while.

This affair being ended, the old man took his
'leave of my patron, who ran and en\braced him,
saying, " Till our next meeting, Signor usurer, I
am wholly your's : I don't know why people of
your profession are branded with the name of
rogues : for my own part, I think you are very
necessary and serviceable to society : you are the
consolation of a 'thousand heirs, and the resource of
all those lords whose expense exceeds their income."
— ''Thou art in the right (cried Centelles), usurers
are very honest people whom we never can honour
enough : I will, in my turn, embrace this* gentle-

GIL BLAS. 2il

mao, on account of his twenty per cent." With
these words, he approached and hug-ged the old
man ; and these two beaus, for their diversion,
began to push him backward and forward one to
another, like a ball between two tf^nnis-players.
After he had been tossed to and fro a good while,
they let him go with the steward, who was more
deserving- than he of their embraces, and of some-
thing else also.

Rodriguez and his understrapper being gone,
Don Matthias sent the half of his pistoles to the
Countess of Pedrosa by the footman who was
present, and secured the rest in a long, embroi-
dered, silk purse, which he commonly wore in his
pocket. Very well satisfied in seeing himself in
cash, he said to Don Antonio, with a gay air,
" What shall we do to-dav ? Let us consult about
it." — '' You speak like a sensible man (replied
Centelles) ; with all my heart, let us deliberate."
While they were considering how to spend the day,
two other lords arrived ; these were Don Alexo
Segiar and Don Fernando de Gamboa, both of
them about the age of my master, that is, between
eight and twenty and thirty. These four cavaliers,
at meeting, hugged one another so heartily, that
one would have thought they had not n)et for ten
years before. Then Don Fernando, who was ajovial
conipanion, addressing himself to Don Matthias
and Don Antonio, said, *' Gentlemen, where do
you intend to dine to-day ? If you are not engaged,

VOL, I. R

242

GIL BLAS.

ril conduct you to a tavern where jou shall drifik
nectar. I supped there last night, and left it only
this morning between five and six o'clock." —
" Would to heaven (cried my master) that I had
done the same : In which case, I should not have
lost ray money."

" As for me (said Centelles), I treated myself
last night with a new diversion ; for I love variety
in my pleasures, which alone makes life agreeable.
A friend of mine carried me to the house of a
farmer of the revenue, a gentleman who does his
own business together with that of the state. There
1 saw magnificence and taste, the entertainment
being elegant enough. But I was mightily diverted
with the ridiculous behaviour of the tax-gatherer
himself, who, though the most plebeian of his class,
assumed the man of quality ; and his wife, though
horribly ugly, affected the airs of a beauty, and
said a thousand silly things, seasoned with the
Biscayan accent, which rendered them still more
remarkably foolish. Besides, there were at table
four or five children, with their tutor ; so that you
may easily conceive how I was diverted with this
family supper."

" And I, gentlemen (said Don Alexo Segiar),
supped at the house of Arsenia the actress. We
were six in all ; Arsenia, Florimonda, with a
coquette of her acquaintance, the Marquis of
Zeneta, Don Juan de Moucada, and your humble
servant. We spept the night in drinking and

GIL BLAS.

^43

speaking- bawdy. Heavens 1 what pleasure ! 'Tis
true, ind^d, Arsenia and Floriraonda have not
ibuch genius, but their wantonness supplies the
place of wit. They are merry, brisk, romping
creatures, and I love them a thousand times better
than your precise women of sense."

CHAP. IV.

Hoiv Gil Bias hecame acquaiiited with the valets
of the beans. The admirable secret they im-
parted to him, of acquiring the reputation of a
man of wit, at a small expense; and the singu-
lar oath which they obliged him to tale.

In this manner did tliese lords continue the con-
versation, until Don Matthias, whom, in the mean
time, I helped to dress, was ready to go abroad.
Then he bade me follow Uim, and ail the beaus
together set out for the tavern, to which Don
Fernando de Gamboa had proposed to conduct
them. As I walked in the rear, in company with
three other valets (for each of the cavaliers had
one), I observed, not without wonder, that these
three domestics copied the air and manner of their
respective masters. Having saluted them ag their
Dew comrade, they returned the civility, and one
among them, after having observed me some mi-
nutes, said, " Brother, I perceive that you have

244 GIL BLAS.

never as jet served a young lord." — " No, indeed
(answered I), it is not long since I canfe to Ma-
drid."— ''So I suppose (replied he); you smell
strong of the country: you seem timorous and
aukward^ and there is a stiffness in your behaviour:
but, no matter, we will soon polish you, take my
word." — " I am afraid you flatter me" (said I to
him). — '' Not at all (he replied), if you were the
greatest blockhead in the universe, we shall be
able to make you pass, you may depend upon it."

This was enough to make me understand that
my confederates were brave lads, and that I could
not be in better hands, in order to become a pretty
fellow. When we arrived at the tavern, we found
an entertainment ready, which Signor Don Fer-
nando had the precaution to bespeak in the morn-
ing; our masters sat down to table, and we stood
ready to serve them : then ihey. began to talk with
such gaiety, that I was delighted to hear them.
1 was very much diverted with their different cha-
racters, thoughts, and expressions : their fire, their
sallies of imagination, made me believe them a new
species of men. When the dessert was upon the
table, we brought in a great number of bottles of
the best Spanish wine ; and left them to go and
dine by ourselves in a little hall, where the cloth
was laid on purpose.

I soon perceived that the knights, my com-
panions, had more merit than I at first imagined :
they not only assumed the manners of their masters.

GIL BLAS. 245

but even affected their yerv language ; and these
rascals succeeded so well, that (the quality air
excepted) there was no difference: I admired their
free and easy deportment ; was charmed with their
wit, and despaired of ever being so agreeable. The
valet of Don Fernando (because his master treated
ours) perforjned the honours of the banquet; aud
that nothing might be wanting, called the landlord,
saying, " Master Andrew Mantuano, give us ten
bottles of your very best wine, and, according to
custom, add thera to my master's bill." — '' With
all my heart (replied the landlord), but, Mr. Gas-
pard, you know that Signor Don Fernando owes
me a good many entertainments already; and if by
your means I could touch a little money — " —
*' Oh ! (said the valet, interrupting him) give
yourself no trouble about what he owes you : I'll
answer for it : my niaster's debts are as good as
gold ; 'tis true, indeed, some unmannerly creditors
have seized our rents; but we shall obtain a
replevy very soon ; and then we shall discharge
our bill without so much as examining the articles."
Mantuano brought the wine, notwithstanding the
rents being seized ; and we drank it in expectation
of the replevy. It was a good jest to see us, every
moment, toasting one another, under the surnames
of our masters: Don Antonio's valet giving the
name of Gamboa to Don Fernando's servant, and
Don Fernando's footman honouring Don Antonio's
valet with that of Centelles : they called rae Silva,

246

GIL BLAS.

aud^ bj degrees^ we got as drunk under those bor-
rowed names as our masters, to whom thev properly
belonged.

Th ugh 1 did not shine so much as my compa-
nions, they did not fail to express their approbation
of me. " Silva (said one of the archest among
them), we shall make something of Ihee, my friend :
I perceive thou iuist a fund of genius, but dost not
know how to use it to advantage The fear of
speaking nonsense hinders thee from talking at a
venture ; and yet, by this alone, a thousand people
iiow-a-days acquire the reputation of wits. If thou
hast a mind to shine, give the rein to tliy vivacity,
and indifferently risk every thing that comes upper-
most.— Thy blunders will pass for a noble bold-
ness: and ifj after having uttered a thousand im-
pertinences, one witticism escap'^s thee, the silly
things will be forgot, the iu.cky thought wiil be
remembered, and tiie world will conceive a high
opinion of thy merit. This is what our masters
practise with such success ; and what every man
must do who aspires to tlic reputation of a distin-
guished wit.

Besides that I was but too fond of passing for a
fine genius, the secret which he had disclosed to
nie seemed so easy, that I was resolved not to neg-
lect it. I put it instantly to the proof, and the
wine I had drank contributed to its success; that
is, I spoke at random, and had the good fortune ia
throw out, among a great deal of nonsense, sonie

GIL BLAS.

247

flashes of wit, bj which I acquired great applause.
This coup d'essai filled me with confidence : I col-
lected all m\ NiNacity to produce some bright sally,
and chaiue befriended me in the attempt.

" Well (said he, who spoke to me in the street),
don't }ou begin to get rid of your rust ? Thou hast
not been two hoius m our company, and art
already qiiile another man. Thou wilt improve
visibly every day. See what it is to serve people of
quality : it elevates the mind ; while the being
valet to citizens has a quite contrary effect." —
" Doubtless (answered I), and therefore I will
henceforth consecrate my service to the nobility."
— " That's nobly said (cried Don Fernando's valet
half-seas over), it does not belong to your citizens
to possess such superior geniuses as we are. Come,
therefore, gentlemen (added he), let us take an oath
never to serve such rapscallions, and swear to it by
the river Styx." We laughed heartily at Gaspard's
conceit, which we approved of very much, and
took the burlesque oath with our glasses in our
hands.

Thus we continued at table until our masters
vrere pleased to retire, which was about midnight ;
a circumstance which my companions looked upon
at an excess of sobriety. 'Tis true, indeed, these
young lords left the tavern in such good time, only
with a view to visit a famous coquette who lived at
the court-end of the town, and kept open house
far young men of pleasure by night as well as by

248 GIL BLAS,

day. She was between thirty and forty years old,
still extremely handsome, agreeable, and so con-
summate in the art of pleasing, that (it was said)
she sold the remains of her beauty at a higher
price than that which she had received for its first-
fruits. There were always in her house two or
three other courtesans of the first rank, who con-
tributed not a little to the great concourse of lords
who frequented it. They went to play in the after-
noon, then supped, and spent the night in drinking
and making merry. Here our masters staid till
morning, and we also, without feeling the time lie
heavy on our hands ; for while they diverted them-
selves with the mistresses, we amused ourselves with
the maids, and at last departed all together at break
of day, every one going to bed at his own home.

My master, getting up as usual about noon,
dressed himself, and went out. I followed him to
the house of Don Antonio Centelles, where we
found one Don Alvaro de Acunha, an old gentle-
man, and professed rake. All the young sparks,
who had an ambition to become fine gentlemen,
put themselves under his tuition; by which they
were formed for pleasure, taught to make a figure
in the world, and to spend their fortunes with a
good grace, he himself being under no apprehen-
sion of squandering away his own, which was gone
long ago. The three cavaliers having saluted one
another, Centelles said to my master, *' Faith,
Don Matthias, thou couldst not come at a better

GIL BLAS.

249

time ; Don Alvaro is going to carry me lo the
house of a citizen who has invited the IVLirqiiis of
Zeneta and Don Juan de Moncada to dinner, and
thou shalt be of the party." — " What is the name
of this citiien ?" (said Don Matthias) — '' He is
called Grcgorio de Noriega (replied Don Alvaro),
and I will, in two words, give you a character of
the man. His father, who is a rich jeweller, hav-
ing gone abroad to negociate his aftkirs, left hini
the enjoyment of a large income; but Gregorio is
a fool, who has a disposition prone to spend his
estate, in doing which he affects the beau, and
would fain pass for a man of spirit, in spite of
nature. As he begged me to take him under njy
direction, I govern him at present : and I can
assure you, gentlemen, he is in a fair way ; Xm
finances being already pretty well sunk." — " I
don't at all doubt it (cried Centelles) : I see liir/.
already at the work-house. Come, Don Matthias,
let us make an acquaintance with him, that we
may have some share in his ruin." — " "SVith all my
heart (replied my master). 1 love dearly to see the
fortune of these little upstcirt gentlemrn over-
turned, because they vainly pretend to rival us in
splendour. Nothing, for example, ever gave mc
so much diversion as the misfortune of that publi-
can's son, who was, by his inclination for play,
and his vanity in aping the great, obliged lo sell
all, to his very house." — " Oh ! as for him (said
Don Antonio), he deserves no compassion ; for he

250 GIL BLAS.

is as great a coxcomb in his adversity as he was in
high lif\^"

Ceiiteiles and my master repairing with Don
Alvaro to the house of Gregorio de Noriego^ Mo-
gicon and I went thither also, both of us ravished
to fmd a feast going forward, and to have an
opp(»rtunit\ of contiibuting, on our parts, to the
ruin of a citizen. As wc went in, we perceived
several people busy in dressing the dinner; and the
ragouts they were preparing sent forth a savoury
steam, that very niuch prepossessed the smell in
favour of the taste. The Marquis of Zeneda and
Don Juan ue Mo: cada arrived, and the entertainer
seemed to be a great booby, who attempted in vain
to assume tise carriage of a beau, being a very bad
copy of tliese excellent originals ; or rather a down-
right siinplelcm, who affected an air of understand-
ing, luiagine to yourself a man of this character
in the midst of five jokers, whose sole aim was to
exercise their raillery upon him, and engage him in
insupportable expense. " Gentlemen, (said Don
Alvaro, after the first compliments) I present to
you Signor Gregorio de Noriega, as a complete
cavalier. Besides a thousand other excellent qua-
lifications, he possesses an understanding so exqui-
sitely cultivated, that you cannot take him amiss.
He is equally strong on all subjects, from the most
close and subtle logic down to the art of spelling."

'' Oh I now you flatter mc (said the citizen,

interrupting him with a very foolish laugh). Sig-

GIL BLAS. 251

nor Alvaro, I may with more justice return the
compliment; for you arc, as one may say, a very
draw-well of erudition." — " I had no design
(replied Don Alvaro) to fish for such a genteel
repartee ; but, upon my word, gentlemen. Signer
Gregorio cannot fail of acquiring great reputation
in the world. " — " For my own part (said Don
Antonio), what lam most charmed with, and what
I greatly prefer to his knowledge in orthography,
is the judicious choice he makes of his company :
instead of confining himself to the conversation of
citizens, he cultivates acquaintance with none but
young lords, without giving himself any trouble
about the expense attending it. There is in this
conduct an elevation of sentiment, and it may be
called impending one's money with taste and dis-
cernment."

These ironical praises were followed by a thou-
sand more of the same sort, and poor Gregorio was
spared by none of them ; each of the beaus, in his
turn, breaking his jest, the meaning of which the
fool did not perceive. On the contrary, he took
every thing in a literal sense, and appeared very
happy in his guests ; nay, he seemed even pleased
with being turned into ridicule : and, in short,
served them as a butt during the whole time of
dinner. They staid with him the remaining part of
the day, and all night long ; whilst we drank at
discretion as well as our masters ; and by the time
they took leave of the citizen, we were all in an
excellent trim.

253 GIL BLAS.

CHAP. V.

Gil Bias sets up for a man of gallantry^ and
hecomes acquainted with a fine lady.

After having refreshed rajself with some hours
of sleep, I got up in good humour; and remem-
bering the advice I had received from Melendez,
went (my master not being yet awake) and pre-
sented my respects to the steward, whose vanity
seemed not a little flattered with this instance of
my regard. He received me very graciously, and
asked if I was not yet faniiliarised to the way of
living practised among young noblemen. I replied
that though it was quite new to me as yet, I did
not despair of being reconciled to it in time.

And truly this happened very soon ; for my hu-
mour and disposition suffered a thorougl^ change.
From being sedate and pensive, I became a brisk,
blundering coxcomb ; and the valet of Don Anto-
nio complimented me on my metamorphosis, say-
ing, that there was now nothing wanting to make
me illustrious but an intrigue ; which, he affirmed,
was absolutely necessary towards finishing the cha-
racter of a pretty fellow, all our comrades being
beloved by some fair lady, and he alone being in
possession of the good graces of no less than two
Vionien of quality. I believed the rogue told a lie.

GIL BLAS. 253

and said to him, " Monsieur Mogicon, to be sure
vou are a handsome young fellow, who have a
great deal of wit and nierit ; but I cannot conceive
how ladies of quality (especially as you don't live
among such) can allow themselves to be charmed
by a man of your condition." — '' Why, truly (said
he), they don't know who I am. — I make all my
conquests in the dress and even in the name of my
master. I'll tell you how: I dress myself like a
young nobleman ; I assume his behaviour, and go
out to take the air ; I ogle all the women I see^
until 1 meet with one who returns the leer : her I
follow, and find means to speak with. I call my-
self Don Antonio de Ccntelles, and demand an
assignation, upon which the lady stands upon cere-
mony : I press her to comply ; she yields, et cetcera.
— Bv this conduct, my child (added he), I have
succeeded in my intrigues, and I advise thee to
follow my example."

I was too anibitious of making a figure, not to
listen io this advice, and besides felt no adversion
to a love intrigue : I therefore resolved to disguise
myself like a young nobleman, and go in quest of
amorous adventures ; but as I durst not dress my-
self in our own house, for fear of being observed,
I took a rich suit of clothes from my master's
wardrobe, and making it up in a bundle, carried it
to the house of a little barber, a friend of mine,
where I thought I could dress and undress with
uiorc convenience. There I adorned mvsclf to the

tbit GIL BLAS.

best of my power, the barber lending a helping
hand, in order to set me off; and when we ima-
gined it was impossible to add any thing to my
appearance, I walked towards St. Jerome's mea-
dow; from whence I was persuaded I should not
return without having found some intrigue to ray
liking : but before I was obliged to go so far
from home, I started one of a very brilliant ex-
pectation.

As I was crossing a bye-street, I saw a lady,
richly dressed, and perfectly genteel, come out of
a small house, and get into a hackney-coach that
stood before the door ; upon which, stopping short
to gaze, I bowed to her in such a manner, as to
inform her that I was not at all disgusted at her
appearance ; and she, to let me see she deserved
my notice, still more than I imagined, lifted up
her veil for a moment, and presented a most agree-
able countenance to my view : mean while the
coach drove off, and I remained in the street, not
a little struck with this apparition: — " What a
charming figure! (said I to myself). Bless me!
this is just what I wanted to complete my character.
If the two ladies who are in love with Mogicon
are as handsome as this, I pronounce him a lucky
knave. I should be charmed with my fate had I
such a mistress."

While I made these reflections, I cast my eyes
by accident towards the house from whence I had
seen this lovely crcaUirc come out, and perceived

GIL BI.AS. 255

at a parlour window an old gentleworaan, who
beckoned me to come in.

I (lew into the house in an ius(ant, and found,
in a pretty hand&ome parlour, this venerable and
discreet matron, who, taking- me for a marquis at
least, saluted me with great respect, saying, " I
don't at all doubt, Sigiior, that you have con-
ceived a very bad opinion of a woman, who, with-
out being acquainted with you, beckons you into
her house ; but perhaps you will think more
favourably of me, when you shall know that I don't
treat every body in the same manner. But you, I
suppose, are a court-lord." — '' You are not mis-
taken, my soul, said T, (stretching out my rigijt
leg, and poising my body on my left hip), I am
without vanity, of one of the best families iix
Spain." — '' I thought so by your appearance (she
replied), and I own I love to oblige people of
quality ; that is ray foible. _l observed you through
the window, looking very earnestly (as I suppose)
at a lady who had just parted from me. Have you
a passion for her ? tell me sincerely." " Upon the
faith of a courtier (answered I), she has captivated
me. I never saw any thing more tempting than
that creature. — Bring us together, my good mother,
and depend upon my acknowledgment; such good
offices rendered to us grandees, seldom pass un-
recompensed."

" I have already told >ou (replied the old
gentlewoman) that I am wholly devoted to people

256 GIL BLAS.

of quality, and delight in being useful to them. I
admit into m_y house, for instance, certain ladies,
whom the exteriors of virtue hinder from receiving
their gallants at hotiie ; therefore I accommodate
them with my house, in order to reconcile the
warmth of their complexions with the rules of
decency/' — " Very well (said I to her), and I sup-
pose jou have granted that favour to the lady in
question." — " No (she replied), this lady is a
young widow of quality, who wants a lover ; but
she is so nice iti that particular, that I don't know
if you yourself will please her, notwithstanding
yourextraoidinaiy merit : I have already presented
to her three stout cavaliers, whom she treated with
disdain." — " Adzooks ! my dear (cried 1 with an
air of assuranci ), thou hast no more to do, but to
put me on the scent. I will give thee a good ac-
count of her^ believe me. I long to have a tete-a-
telt' with a shy beauty, having never as yet met
with one of that character." — *' Well (said the old
lady) it you come hither to-morrow about this time,
your curiosity may be satisfied." — " I will not fail
(ans'Acred 1), and we shall see whether or not a
youi'^', nobleman, such as I, may taste the pl^stire
of a conquest."

I returned to the house of the little barber,
without desiring any other adventures, but very
imj,atieut to see the issue of this. Next day, there-
fore, having been at great pains to set myself off,
I repaired to the old gentlewoman's house, an

GIL BLAS. 257

hour before the appointment. "^Signor (said she),
I see you are punctual, and I am glad of it ; for
you will find it well worth your trouble. I have
seen your }ouiig widow, and have iiad some dis-
course with her about yon. She has forbid me to
speak ; but I have conceived such a friendship for
you, that I cannot hold my tongue. You have
had the good fortune to make an impression on
her heart, and will be happy very soon. Between
you and me, the lady is a delicious morsel ; her
husband lived with her but a very short time; he
fleeted away, as it were, like a shadow ; so that
she is as good as a maiden." The good matron,
doubtless, meant one of those snrrghtly maidens,
who know how to enjoy life without the incum-
brance of matrimony.

In a little time the heroine of the assignation
arrived in a stage coach, as she had done the day
before, adortied with all the pomp of dress. As
f>oon as she appeared in the hall, I began by five
or six a-la-mode bows, accompanied with the most
fashionable contortions ; after which, I approach-
ed her with a very familiar air, saying, " My
princess, behold a young nobleman, who is enrap-
tured with your beauty. Your image, since
yesterday, has incessantly presented itself to my
imagination, and expelled a duchess, who had
begun to set footing in ray heart." — "The triumph
(answered she, taking off her veil) is too glorious
forme, and yet I do not perfectly enjoy it; for you

VOL. I. s

258 GIL BLA3.

young; noblemen are prone to change, and your
hearts, they say, are more difficult to keep thau
quicksilver/' — '' But, my queen (I replied), let us
mind the present only, and let futurity shift for
itself: you are handsome, and I amorous ; and, if
you approve of my passion, let us engage without
any furtlier reflection, and embark like sailors,
who think only of the pleasures, without perceiv-
ing the perils of their voyage."

So saying, I threw myself, in a transport, at the
feet of my nymph, and the better to imitate the
beaus, pressed her, m a petulant manner, to make
me happy. She seemed a little moved at my en-
treaties, but thought it was too soon to yield ;
therefore, pushing me gently from her, '' Hold
(said she), you are too forward, and have the air of
a libertine ; I am afraid you are no better than a
downright rake." — '' O fie. Madam i (cried I) sure
you cannot hate what all ladies of fashion love :
none but tradesmen's wives exclaim against liber-
tinism."— '• You are certainly in the right (she
replied), and I cannot resist such a convincing
reason, it is in vain, I find, to use grimace with
noblen)en like you ; and the women must advance
oue half of the way. Know then your victory
(added she, with an appearance of confusion, as if
her modesty suifered in the confession) : you hav^
inspired me with sentiments which I never felt
before, and I want only to know who you are, that
I may determine to choose you for my lover. I

GIL BLAS. 259

believe you are a young lord, and moreover, a man
of honour. But of this I am not assured ; and
howsoever I may be prepossessed in your favour^,
I am resolved not to bestow my affection on a
person unknoNYii."

It was then I remembered the expedient of Don
Antonio's valet, on the same occasion ; and, after
his example, having a mind to pass for my master;,
" Madam (said I to my widow), I will not refuse
to tell you my name, which I need not be ashamed
to own — Did you never hear of Don JMatthias de
Silva?" ''Yes (replied she), I have even seen him
at the house of a lady, an acquaintance of mine."
Although I \vas pretty well stocked with impu-
dence, this answer disconcerted me a good deal;
however, I recollected myself in an instant, and
making an effort of genius, to extricaie myself,
"Well, then, my angel (said I), you know a lord
whom — I know also. Since you must have it, I
am one of the same family ; his grandfather mar-
ried my grand-uncle's sister-in-law : so that you
see we are >ery nearly related. — My name is Don
Caesar, and I am the only son of the illustrious
Don Fernando de Ribera, who was slain fifteen
years ago, in a battle that was fought on the
frontiers of Portugal. I could describe the action,
which was hellishly hot; but that would be losing
the precious moments which love prompts us to
employ in a more agreeable manner."

After this discourse I became more pressing and

260 GIL BLAS,

passionate : but all to little effect ; the favours
which my goddess bestowed upon me, ou\y serving
to make nie sigh after tliose which she refused r
but though the barbarous creature got into her
coach, that waited at the door, I went home very
well satisfied with my good fortune, although I
was not yet perfectly happy. If, said I to myself,
I have not been able to obtain the height of my
wishes, it is because my princess is a lady of rank
and delicacy, who thinks it indecent to yield to
my transports during the first interview. The
pride of her birth has retarded my happiness, which,
however, is only delayed for a few days. Not but
that I had always some suspicions, that the whole
affair was a well-concerted trick. But I love to
consider it in the most favourable point of view,
and to preserve the advantageous opinion I had
conceived of the lady, with whom I had agreed to
meet again next day ; the hope of accomplishing
my wishes giving me a taste, by anticipation, of
the pleasures I expected to enjoy.

With my fancy full of these smiling images, I
returned to the house of n)y barber, where I
changed my dress, and went to wait upon my
master at a tennis-court, where I knew he was ;
I found him engaged in play, and even perceived
that he had been lucky : for he was none of those
phlegmatic gamsters, who enrich or ruin them-
selve;s, without changing a feature. In his pros-
perity he was full of insulting raillery : but very

OIL BT.AS. 261

morose when fortune declared against him. Leav-
ing the tennis-court in great good humour^ he went
direcHv to the prince's theatre, and I followed him
to the plav-house door, where giving me a ducat —
*' Here, Gil Bias (said he), since I have been lucky,
thou shalt feel the effects of it ; go and enjoy
thyself uith thy companions, and about midnight
come to me at the house of Arsenia, where I am
to sup N^ith Don Alexo Segiar." So saying, he
went in, and I reiiiained thinking how I should
spend my ducat, according to the intention of the
donor. 1 was not long in suspense ; Clarino, Don
Alexo's valet, appeared all of a sudden, and I car-
ried him to the next tavern, where we regaled our-
selves till twelve o'clock ; and from thence repaired
together to the house of Arsenia, vhere he was
likeNNise ordered to rendezvous. A little lacquey
opened the door, and introduced us into a parlour,
where the waiting-women of Arsenia and Flori-
monda sat together, laughing as if for a wager,
while their mistresses entertained our masters
above.

The arrival of two merry fellows, who had sup-
ped to their satisfaction, could not be disagreeable
to chambermaids, especially to those of the ac-
tresses ; but what was my astonishment, when, in
the person of one of them, I beheld my widow !
my adorable widow, whom I believed a marchioness,
or countess. She seemed no less surprised at seeing

262 GIL BLAS.

her Don Cassar de Ribera metamorphosed into the
valet de chambre of a beau : however we observed
one another without being disconcerted ; and both
at one time were seized with such a violent incli-
nation to laugii, that we could not help indulging
it. After which, Laura (so was my princess called),
taking me a^ide, while Ciarino made up to her
companion, very graciously presented her hand,
saying, softly — " Take it, Don C£esar : instead of
reproaching let us compliment one another, my
friend : you performed your part to admiration ;
and I did not behave amiss in mine. What say
3'ou ? confess that you took me for one of those
fine ladies of quality, who amuse themselves with
intrigues." — " 'Tis true (answered 1), but whoso-
ever you are, my queen, I have not changed my
sentiments with my dress: I beg you will accept
niy services^ and allow the valet de chambre of
Don Matthias to finish that which Don Casar
had so happily begun." — " Yes (said she), I love
thee still better in thy own character, than in that
of another : thou art just such a man as I am a
■\voman, and that is the strongest approbation I can
bestow: I therefore receive thee into the crowd of
my adorers; we shall have no more occasion for
the ministry of the old woman : for thou niay'st
come hither with the utmost freedom : we ladies
. of the stage live without constraint, and helter-
skelter with the men. The effects of this com-

GIL BLAS. ^3

niunication are sometimes very visible indeed ; but
the town laughs at them, and our business, thou
knowest, is to divert it."

Here we broke oft, because there were others
present, and the conversation became general,
sprightly, joyous, and full of palpable double en-
tcndrcs. Every one bore a part ; Arsciiia's maid
in particular, my lovely Laura, shone very much,
and shewed a great deal more wit than virtue. On
the other hand, our masters and the actresses often
burst out into long fits of laughter, wiiich we over-
heard, and from which we concluded that their
discourse was much of the same stamp with our
own. If all the fine things which were said that
night at Arscnia's had been committed to writing,
they would have composed, I believe, a treatise
very instructive for youth. In the mean time, the
hour of retreat, that is, the dawn arrived, and we
were obliged to part. Clarino followed Don Alexo,
and I went home with Dou Matthias.

CHAP. VI.

The conversation of some noblemen ahout the
plaijers of the Prince's company.

J. HAT day, while my master was dressing, he
received a billet from Don Alexo Segiar, desiring
his company at his house, whither he went, and

2G1 GIL BLAS.

found him with the Marquis of Zeneta, and an-
other young nobleman of a good mien, whom I
had never seen before. '' Don Matthias (said Segiar
to ray master, presenting the unknown cavalier),
this is Don Porapeio de Castro, a relation of mine,
who has been at the court of Portugal ahnost from
his infancy : he arrived at Madrid last night, and
will set out to-morrow for Lisbon, so that, as he
can spare me only one day, I am resolved to enjoy
the precious opportunity, and in order to make it
the more agreeable to him, have called you and
the Marquis of Zeneta to my assistance," Upon
this, my master and Don Alexo's kinsman em-
braced and complimented one another, and I was
much pleased with the discourse of Don Pompeio,
who seemed to have a great share of judgment and
penetration.

Having dined at Segiar's, these noblemen amused
themselves at cards till the hour of going to the
play; and then went all together to the prince's
theatre, to see a new tragedy, entitled The Queen
of Carthage. After the representation of the piece,
they returned and supped where they had dined :
the conversation, at first turning on the piece they
had seen performed^ and afterwards upon the actors.
" As for the work itself (cried Don Matthias), I
have no great opinion of it ; it makes i^neas still
more insipid than he is represented in the iEneid;
but every body must agree it was divinely played.
What says Signer Don Pompeio ? He does not

GIL BLAS. 26d

seem to be of mv wav of thinking;.*' — " Gentlemen
(said that caTalier, smiling), I have perceived you
so much charmed with your players, and, in parti-
cular, with your actresses, that I ought not to be
so bold as tosignify my dissent from your opinions."
— '' You are much in the right (said Don Alexo,
in a jocular manner), your censures will bo very
unseasonable here ; and you ought to shew some
respect for our actresses before us, who are the
trumpets of their reputation. As v/e drink with
them every day, we can do no less than warrant
them perfect in their vocation ; and even give them
certificates if there be occasion for it." — '^ 1 do not
at all doubt it (answered his relation), and I dare
say you would do the same for their morals, so
much are you their friends."

'' Your comedians at Lisbon (said the Marquis
of Zencta, with a sneer) are, doubtless much better
than ours." — '' Yes, certainly (replied Don Pom-
peio), at least, there are some of them who have
no defect." — '' And these (resumed the Marquis)
may depend upon your certificate." — "^ I have no
connection with them (said Don Pompeio), and, as
I never enter into their parties of pleasure, can
judge of their merit without prejudice. But do
you really (added he) think your company so ex-
cellent .?^" — '' No, faith! (said the Marquis) I
believe no such thing; and provided you give me
leave to defend a very small number of the players,
I will willingly give up all the rest. Won't you

266 GIL BLAS.

allow that she who played the part of Dido is an
admirable actress ? Did she not represent the queen
with all the dignity and grace which is conformable
to the idea we have of her ? and did not you ad-
mire her art in engaging the n)ind of the spectator,
and making him feel the emotions of all those
passions that are expressed ? She may be said to
be consummately skilled in all the refinements of
declamation." — " I agree (said Don Pompeio) that
she knows how to awake and touch the passions
of the audience ; no player had ever more feeling,
and, on the whole^ her represeiitation is very fine.
I was shocked at two or three things in her per-
formance. When she would express surprise she
rolls her eyes in such an extravagant manner, as
very ill becomes the deportment of a princess.
Add to this, that in raising her voice, which is
naturally low, she corrupts the sweetness of it,
and produces a very disagreeable croaking : besides,
in more places than one, she gave reason to suspect
that she did not very well understand her part :
but, however, I am inclined to impute this rather
to inattention than want of capacity/'

" By what I can see (said Don Matthias to the
critic), you will scarce write a panegyric on our
actresses." — " Pardon me (replied Don Pompeio),
I can discover great talents through their defects.
1 own I was enchanted with that actress who per-
formed the part of a chambermaid in the interludes :
she has a fine genius, treads the stage gracefully.

GIL ELAS. 267

and every witticism she utters is seasoned with a
sarcastic smile, full of charms, which very much
enhances the value of what is said. She may, in-
deed, he blamed for indulging her fire sometimes
a little too much, and transgressing the bounds of
modest assurance. But we must not be too st'\ere ;
and I could only wi!«h that she would coriect one
bad habit she has contracted. Oft-times, in the
middle of a serious scene, she interrupts the per
formance all of a sudden, by yielding to a silly
desire of laughing, with which she is seized.
You'll say she is applauded by the pit, even at
these times : there, I own, she is lucks ."

*' Well, what do you think of the mtn ? (said
the Marquis, interrupting Iiim) surely you'll charge
them full volley, since you have been so unmerciful
to the women." — '' No (said Don Poriipeio), I
think you have some promising young actors : and
am particularly pleased with that fat comedian who
acted the part of Dido's prime minister : he repeats
very naturally, and declaims just as they do in
Portugal.'' — " If he can please you (said Segiar)
you must be charmed with the action of him who
played the part of yEncas. Is not he a great come-
dian ! an original !" — " Very original ! (replied the
critic) his cadence is quite peculiar, and his tones
abundantly shrill: he almost always destrts nature,
hurries over the words which contain the senti-
ment, and places the emphasis where it should not
be ; making pauses even on articles and conjunc-

26S GIL BLAS.

tions. He diverted me very much ; particularly
when he expressed to his confidant the violence he
did himself in abandoning the princt^ss ; never was
grief more comically expressed." — " Softly, cousin
(replied Don Alexu), thou wilt make us believe, by
and bye, '•\\di there is not a great deal of taste at
the coiirt i Portugal. Dost thou know that the
actor of whom we speak is reckoned a phcsnix ?
Didf^t thou not hear what claps of applause he
obtained ? A plai proof that he is far f. om being
contemptible." — " That is no proof at all (an-
swered Don Poiupeio). Gentlemen (added he), let
us not, i beg of you, lay anv stress upon the ap-
plause of the pit, which is often bestowed very
unseasonably ; — nay, more seldom on true merit
than on false, as Phajdrus observes, by an in-
genious fable, which I beg leave to repeat. Here
it is : —

^' The inhabitants of a certain city being assem-
bled in public to see pantomimes, there was among
the perfor«iers a favourite actor, whom they ap-
plauded every moment. This buffoon, having a
mind to close the scene with a new kind of repre-
sentation, appeared alone upon the stage, stooped
down, covering his head with his cloke, and
squeaking like a pig, acquitted himself so well,
that the audience actually imagined he had one
under his clothes : they ordered him therefore to
strip ; which he having done, and nothing appear-
ing, the whole assembly thundered applause. — A

GIL BLAS.

269

peasant who happened to be one of the spectators,
shocked at these expressions of admiration, cried,
' Gentlemen, you have no cause to be charmed
with that buffoon, who is not such an exquisite
actor as you imagine : I can play the pig better
than he, and if you doubt it, come hither again to-
morrow at this hour.' The people, prepossessed
in favour of their pantomimes, re-assembled next
day in greater numbers, rather to hiss the peasant
than see what he could do. The two rivals ap-
pearing on the stage, the buffoon began, and was
applauded more than ever : then the countryman,
stooping in his turn, and muffling his head in his
cloke, pinched the ear of a real pig, which he held
under his arm, and made it squeak moat piercingly ;
nevertheless, the audience gave the preference to
the pantomime, and hooted the peasant, who all
of a sudden producing the pig to the spectators,
' Gentlemen (said he), it is not me whom you hiss,
but this poor pig himself: such excellent judges
you are '.' "

*' Cousin (said Alexo), thy fable is too severe :
but, notwithstanding thy pig, we will not give up
our opinion. Let us change the discourse (added
he), I am tired of this subject. So, thou wilt de-
part to-morrow, in spite of my desire to enjoy thy
company a little longer ?" — " I wish I could make
a longer stay at Madrid (replied the kinsman), but
it is not in ray power. I have told you already,
that I came to the court of Spain about an affair

270 GIL ELAS.

of state ; and, at my arrival yesterday^ had an
audience of the prime minister, whom I shall see
again to-morrow morning ; immediately after
which I shall set out on my return to Lisbon." —
" Thou art become altogether Portuguese (said
Segiar), and in all likelihood wilt never return to
live in Madrid." — '' I believe I shall not (answered
Don Poinpeio), for I am so happy as to be beloved
by the king of Portugal, and enjoy a great deal of
pleasure at his court. But notwithstanding hi?
kindness to me, would you believe that I have
been on the point of quitting his dominions for
ever ?" — " Pray tell us the reason (said Don
Alexo)." — '' With all my heart (answered Don
Pompeio), and at the same time will relate the story
of my life."

CHAP. VII.

The history of Don Pompeio de Castro.

-Don Alexo (added he) knows that while I was
yet a little boy I resolved to carry arms ; and that,
seeing our own country in profound peace, I went
to Portugal, from whence I passed over into Africa
with the Duke of Braganza, who gave me employ-
ment in the array under his command. Being a
younger brother of very small fortune, I was under

GIL BLAS.

271

a necessity of signalizing myself in such a manner
as to attract the notice of the general ; and did my
duty so well, that the duke promoted and put me
into a condition to serve with honour. After a
long war, the issue of which you all know, I at-
tached myself to the court; and the king, upon
the recommendation of the general officers, grati-
fied me with a considerable pension. Sensible of
this monarch's generosity, I lost no occasion of
manifesting my gratitude by my assiduity ; and
was always in attendance at those hours in which
people are permitted to pav their respects ; by
which behaviour I insensibly acquired the love of
that prince, who honoured me with new favours.
Having one day distinguished myself at the ring,
and a bull- light that preceded it, the whole court
commended my strengh and address; and when I
returned home, loaded with applause, I found a
billet importing that a lady, the conquest of whom
ought to flatter me more than all the honour I had
that day acquireJ, wanted to converse with me ;
and that I should in the twilight repair to a certain
place that was described. This letter gave me
more pleasure than all the praise I had received,
and 1 imagined that the person who wrote it must
be a lady of the first quality. You may easily
guess that 1 flew to the rendezvous, where an old
woman being in waiting, to serve as a guide, in-
troduced me, by a little garden-door, into a great
house, and shut me in a rich closet, saying, " Stay

273 GIL BLAS.

here until I inform my mistress of your arrival.'"
I perceived a great many curious things in this
closet^ which was enlightened by a great number
of wax-candles ; but rsiy sole view in considering
its magnificence was to confirm myself in the
opinion I had already conceived of the lady's rank.
If all that I saw seemed to assure me she was a
person of the first quality, when she appeared I
was convinced of it, by her noble and majestic air.
Nevertheless I was mistaken.

"Signor cavalier (said she), after the advances I
have made, it would be ridiculous to conceal the
tender sentiments I have for you, which, however,
were not inspired by that merit you have this day
shewn before the whole court. That has only
hastened the discovery ; for I have seen you m.ore
than once, and inquired into your character, which
pleased me so much that I determined to follow
my inclination. Don't imagine (added she) that
you have niadc a conquest of some duchess. I am
no other than the widow of a simple ofScer of the
king's guards ; but what makes your victory still
more glorious, is the preference I give you to one
of the greatest lords of the kingdom. The Duke
of Alm.eida is in love with me, and spares nothing
to inflame me with a mutual passion ; but hitherto
he has been unsuccessful, and I suffer his addresses
only through vanity."

Though I found by her discourse that I had to
do with a coquette, I thought myself Tery rouclj

CilL BLAS.

273

obliged to fortune for this adventure ; Donna Hor-
tensia (so was the lady called) was still in the prime
of youth ; and I was dazzled with her beauty : be-
sides, she offered me the possession of a heart which
would not yield to the addresses of a duke. What
a triumph was this for a young Spanish cavalier!
I accordingly threw myself at her feet, thankt d her
for her goodness, said all that a man of gallantry
could utter on such an occasion, and she had rea-
son to be satisfied with the transports of my grati-
tude. We parted the best friends in the world,
after having agreed to see one another every night
on which she should be disengaged from the Duke
of Almeida, and this she promised to advertise me
of punctually ; in which she did not fail : so that,
in a word, I became the Adonis of this new Ve-
nus.

But the pleasures of life are far from being eter-
nal ! Whatever measures the lady could take to
conceal our correspondence from my rival, he did
not fail to get notice of the whole of what it was
so much our interest to keep from his knowledge.
A malcontent chambermaid informed himoftlie
affair ; and that lord, naturally generous, but
withal haughty, jealous, and passionate, was in-
censed at my presumption : rage and jealousy took
possession of his soul ; and, following the dictates
of his fury, he resolved to avenge himself of me in
an infamous manner. One night, while I was with
Hortensia, he waited for me at the little garden

VOL. I. r

274 GIL BLAS.

door, attended by all his footmen, armed witli
clubs ; and as soon as I came out, making these
wretches seize me, ordered them to cudgel me to
death. " Strike (said he), and let the audacious
villain perish under your hands ; for so am I re-
solved to punish his insolence." He had no sooner
spoke these words than his people assaulted me al-
together, and gave me so many blows, that I lay
stretched upon the ground without sense or motion.
After which they retired with their master, who
had regaled himself with this cruel execution ; and
I remained as they left me during the rest of the
night. At break of day some people happened to
pass, and perceiving still some life in me, were so
charitable as to carry me to the house of a surgeon :
luckily my wounds were not mortal, and I fell into
the hands of a skilful artist, who made a perfect
cure of me in two months; at the end of which
time I repaired again to court, and resumed my
former way of living, save that I never went back
to Ilortensia, who on her part took no step to see
mc again, because the duke on these terms had par-
doned her infidelity.

My adventure being universally known, and no-
body suspecting my courage, every one was as-
tonished to see me as tranquil as if I had not re-
ceived an affront ; for I imparted my thoughts to
no man breathing, and seemed to be void of all
resentment ; so that people did not know what to
think of my fejgned insensibility. Some believed.

GIL BLAS. 275

that notwithstanding my courage, the rank of my
antagonist kept me in awe, and obliged me to di-
gest the injiirv ; others, with more reason, sus-
pected my silence, and looked upon the peaceful
appearance I put on as a deceitful calm. Of this
opinion was the king, who did not think me a per-
son that would leave such an outrage unpunished ;
but believed that I would not fail to revenge my-
selfas soon as I could find a favourable opportunity.
That he might know whether or not he guessed
my sentiments aright, he called me one dav into
his closet, where he said, " Don Pompeio, I know
the accident which has happened to you, and am,
I confess, surprised at your tranquillity, which
must certainly be dissimulation." — ''Sire (I re-
plied), I know not who was the aggressor, having
been attacked in tiie dark by people unknown ; so
that I must console myself for the misfortune as
well as I can." — " No, no (said the king), you
must not think to dupe me with that evasion,
which is all dissembled : I have been informed of
the whole affair : the Duke of Almeida has givcu
you a mortal affront. You are a gentleman and a
Castilian, and I know what these qualities oblige
you to do. You have formed a resolution to a-
venge yourself. Communicate your scheme to me.
I insist upon it, and don't be afraid tliat you shall
have cause lo icpent of makirtg me your confidant."
^' Since your majesty (answered I) conjmands
itj I will discover ray sentiments. Yes, Sire, I

276 GIL BLAS.

intend to take vengeance for the aftVont I have suf-
fered. Every one who bears the name of a gentle-
man is accountable for it to his family. You
know the unworthy treatment 1 have received ;
and I purpose to assassinate the Duke of Almeida,
to revenge myself in a manner suitable to the of-
fence. I v.ill plunge a poignard into his breast,
or shoot him through the head, and escape if I can
into Spain. This is my design." — " It is a violent
one (said the king), nevertheless I cannot condemn
it, after the cruel outrage which the Duke of Al-
meida has committed upon you. He is worthy of
the chastisement you reserve for him : but do not
execute jour enterprise in a hurry. Leave it to
rae to find out an expedient for bringing you to an
accommodation." — ''Ah, Sir! (cried I, very much
chagrined) why did you oblige me to reveal my se-
cret ? What expedient can — " — " If I don't find
one to your satisfaction (said he, interrupting me)
you may put your resolution in practice. I don't
intend to abuse the confidence you have reposed in
nie, and will by no means betray your honour.
So that you may make yourself easy on that score."
I was greatly at a loss to know in what manner
the king intended to terminate the affair in an ami-
cable manner : and this is the method he took. In
a private conversation with the Duke of Almeida,
" My lord (said he), you have injured Don Pom-
peio de Castro ; and as you are not ignorant of
his beins; a man of illustrious birth, and a gen-

r,IL BL4S.

277

tleiiian whom 1 love on account of his faithful
services, you ought to give him satisfaction." — " I
am not of a humour to refuse it (answered the
duke) ; if he complains of my wrath, I am ready to
do him justice in the field." — *' You must give
him another sort of reparation (replied the king) ;
a Spanish gentleman understands the point of
honour too well to fight openly with a secret
assassin, I can give you no other name, and you
cannot expiate the indignity of your action any other
way than by pre«cnti:!g your enemy with a cane,
and submitting to a retaliation." — " O heavens!
(cried the duke) \yhat, Sir ! would you have a
man of my rank condescend to humble himself be-
fore a simple cavalier, and allow himself to be
caned ? — " No (replied the monarch), 1 will make
Don PoriijK'io promise that he will not strike you.
Only ask pardon for the violence you committed,
and present him with a cane — tiiat is all I ex-
pect of you." — " And that is too much to expect
from me. Sir, (said the duke, interrupting him
hastily)! will rather continue exposed to the secret
shafts of his revenge." — " Your life is dear to me
(said the king), and my desire is that this affair may
have no bad consequences. To bring it to a con-
clusion the less disagreeable for you, 1 will be the
only witness to that satisfactiDu which I insist on
year making to the Spaniard."

The king had occasion for all liis power over the
duke, to bring him to this jiit.itirvinrr coudesccn-

278

GIL ELAS.

sion. However, he succeeded ; and afterwards
sending for rne, recounted the discourse he had
with n\y enemj, and asked if I would be satisfied
with the reparation agreed upon between them.
I answered in the affirmative, and gave my word
and honour, that, far from striking the off nder, I
v/ijuhi not even accept of the cane he siiould present
to me. Things being regulated in this manner,
the duke and I, one day, went at a certain liour to
the king, who, shutting himself up with us in the
closet, ''Come (said he to the duke), acknowledge
your fault, and deserve to be forgiven." Upon
this my enemy made his apology, and presented nie
with the cane which he had in his hand. " Don
Pompeio (said the monarch to me, that instant),
lake the cane, arsd let not my presence hinder you
from satisfying your injured honour : I acquit you
of the promise you made, not to strike the duke."
— " No, Sir (answered I), it is sufficient tliat he
submits to be beaten ; an injured Spaniard asks no
more." — " Well (replied the king), since you are
contented with that satisfaction, you may now
enjoy the privilege of a regular process: measure
your swords, and determine your quarrel like men
of honour." " It is what I ardently desire ! (cried
the Duke of Almeida, with precipitation) and
that alone is capable of consoling me for the
shameful condescension I have made."

So saying, he went away full of rage and confu-
sion, and two hours after sent to let me know that

GIL BLAS. 279

he Nvaiied for me in a private place. Thither
I repaired, and found that lord in a humour to
fight heartily. He was not quite forty, and ^vanted
neither courage nor skill, so that the match was
pretty equal. " Coidc, Don Pompeio (said he),
let us decide our difference here : both of us ought
to be exasperated to the highest pitch ; you, for
the treatment you have received at my hands ; and
I, for having asked your pardon," With these
words he drew upon me so suddenly, that I had
not time to make any reply, and pushed with
great vigour ; but I had the good fortune to parry
all his thrusts, and attacked him in my turn ; when
I found I had to do with an antagonist who knew
how to defend as well as to assault ; and I don't
know what might have happened, if he had not
made a false step in retreating, and fallen back-
ward, I stopped immediately, and bid him get up
■^-^nd he answered, " Why do you spare me ? I am
injured by your pity." — " I will not wrong my
glory so much (said I), as to take the advantage of
your misfortune; get up once more, and let us
fight it out."

" Don Pompeio (said he, rising), after this in-
stance of your generosity, honour will not permit
me to use my sword against you. What would the
world say of me should 1 kill you ? I should be
looked upon as a coward, who had taken the life
of a person who had it in his power to deprive me
of mine. I can, therefore, no longer fight against

280 GIL BLAS.

you, and 1 feel the warm transports of gratitude
succeed those furious emotions which reigned
within mj breast. Don Pompeio (added he), let
our mutual hatred cease. Let us even go farther,
and be friends." — " Ah ! my lord (cried I), I em-
brace the agreeable proposal with joy 1 I vow the
most sincere friendship : and^ as the first proof,
promise never to set foot within the di)or of Donna
Hortensia, even though she should desire to see
nie." — '' It is I (said he), who must yield that lady
to you. You have a juster title to her, since her
inclination is fixed upon you." — ''No, no! (cried
I, interrupting him) you love her, and the favours
which she might bestow upon me would give you
pain ; I sacrifice them, therefore, to your repose."
— '' Ah, too generous Castilian (replied the duke,
locking me in his arms) 1 I am charmed with your
sentiments ! What remorse do they produce within
me '. With what grief — with what shame do I re-
flect on the outrage you received ! The satisfaction
I gave you in the king's closet seems now too
slight; I will n)ake a better reparation for the
injury, and, in order to efface the dishonour of it
entirely, I ofier one of my nieces to you in mar-
riage ; she is a rich heiress, not yet fifteen, and still
more beauliful than young."

I made my compliments to the duke in such
expressions of acknowledgments as the honour of
entering into his alliance inspired ; and in a few
davs married his niece. The whole court congra-

GIL BLAS.

261

tiilated him on h'\s generosity <o a gentleman
whom he had covered with ignominy; and wy
friends rejoiced with me on the happy conclusion
of an adventure which seemed to promise a more
melancholy issue. Since that time, gentlemen, I
live agreeably at Lisbon, beloved by my wife, of
whom I am still fond ; the Duke of Almeida gives
me every day fresh proofs of his friendship ; aud I
dare boast of being pretty well with the king of
Portugal : the importance of this my journey to
Madrid, which 1 undertook by his order, being a
sufficient evidence of his esteem.

CHAP. Vlll.

Bi/ what accident Gil Blafs was obliged to seek a
new place.

JSucH was the story that Don Pompeio recounted^
and which the valet of Don Alexo and I overheard,
although they had taken the precaution of sending
us away before it was begun : but, instead of retir-
ing, we stopped at the door, which we had left half
open, and from thence lost i.ot a word of what was
said. After this, the noblemen set in to drinking,
but their debauch did not last till day; because
Don Pompeio, who was to attend the prime minis-
ter in the morning, was very desirous of a little

282

GIL BLAS.

rest. Accordingly, the Marquis of Zeneta and my
master embracing that cavalier, b d him adieu, and
left him with his kinsman.

We went to bed for this time before morn, and
Don Matthias, when we waked, invested me with
a new eniplojmetit. '^'Gil Bias (said he), take pa-
per and ink, and write two or three letters which I
will dictate ; henceforward thou art my secretary."
— " Good (said I to myself), another addition to
my functions : as a lacquey, I follow my master
every where ; as a valet de chambre, help him to
dress ; and write under him as his secretary. Hea-
ven be praised 1 I act, like Hecate, in a three-fold
capacity." — '^'Thou dost not know (added he),
w hat I am about ; which is briefly this — but be
secret — for thy life shall answer it. As I some-
times meet with people who boast of their good
fortune in love intrigues, I am resolved, in order to
excel them all, to have always in my pocket feigned
letters from women, which I will read on such
occasions. This will aflford me some diversion, and,
more happy than those of my fellows who acquire
conquests only for the pleasure of making them
public, I will publish those which I have not had
the trouble to make ; but remember to disguise thy
hand in such a manner, as that the billets may not
appear to be 5vritten by the same person."

Upon this I took paper, pen, and ink, ^nd sat
down to obey Don Matthias, who at first dictated
a love-letter in these ter-ms : —

GIL RLAS. 283

''You was not to-night at the place of assigna-
tion. Ah, Don Matthias ! what can you say to
justify yourself ? How much have I been mistaken,
and how well have 1 been punished for having the
vanity to think that you would sacrifice all the
amusements and business of the gay world, to the
pleasure of seciiig Donna Clara de Mendoza !"

The next billet he made me write was in the
name of a lady, w ho preferred him to a prince ; and
the last from one who told him, that, if she was
sure of his discretion, she would make a voyage
with hini to the island of Cythera. He was not
satisfied with dictating these fine epistles : he
obliged me also to subscribe them with the names
of ladies of quality. Upon which I could not help
observing, that I thought it a ticklish affair ; but
he desired me to keep my advice to mvsclf, until he
should have occasion to ask it : I was therefore
obliged to execute his commands in silence. This
being done, he got up, dressed, put the letters in
his pocket, and went out; and I followed him to
the house of Don Juan de Moncada, who had
invited five or six gentlemen of his friends to din-
ner.

The entertainment was sumptuous ,* and mirth,
the best ingredient in all banquets, reigned during
the repast. All the guests contributed to enliven
the conversation ; some by raillery, and others by
recounting exploits of which they themselves v^ere
the heroes. My master, unwilling to lose such a

284 GIL BLA8.

fair opportuniiy of profitiiig by the letters he had
made inc write, read thcin aloud, with such an air
of assurance, that (his secretary excepted) every

body seemed to believe them genuine Among the

gentlemen before whom he was guilty of this
effrontery, there was one Don Lope de Velasco, a
very sedate nian, who, instead of rejoicing like the
rest at the success of the reader, coldly asked if
the conquest of Donna Clara had cost him dear ?—
*' Almost less than nothing (replied Don Mat-
thias), she made all the advances. Having seen
me in the park, I happened to please her ; upon
which I was followed by her order, and, as soon
as she learned who I was, she wrote to me, ap-
pointing an assignation at her house in the night,
when all the family should be a-bed. I obeyed
the summons, and was introduced to her apart-
ment.— I am too nuich of a gentleman to tell
what followed."

At this laconic detail the lord of Velasco
changed countenance, and it was not difficult to
perceive what concern he had in the lady in ques-
tion. " All tiicse billets (said he, darting a
iurious look at my master) are absolutely false,
and e.tpecialiy that which you boast of having re-
ceived fron) Donna Clara de Mendoza, than whom
there is not a more chaste young lady in Spain.
A gentleman, no ways your inferior either in birth
or personal merit, has done every thing in his
power, during two whole years, to make an im-

GIL BLA8,

285

pression on her heart ; and scarce has lie been able
to obtain the most innocent favours, though he
has reason to flatter himself that if she Nvas capable
of granting any other kind of indulgence, it would
be to him alone." — '' Hcv-day ! who says any
thing to the contrary ? (said Don Matthias, with
an air of raillery). I agree with you that she is a
lady of honour : and, for my part, I am a young
fellow of honour ; consequently you ought to be-
lieve that nothing which was not very honourable
passed between us." — ^" Ah I this is too much
(cried Don Lope, interrupting him): jesting apart,
you are an inipostor. Donna Clara never made
an assignation with you at night ; and I will not
suffer you to blacken her reputation. — 1 shall say
no more at present." Having thus expressed him-
self, he looked sternly at the whole company, and
retired in such a manner as to make me believe
that this affair would have very bad consequences.
My master, who was brave enough fur a lord of
his character, despising the threats of Don Lope,
" What a fool there is ! (cried he, bursting into a
fit of laughter), your knights-errant pretended only
to maintain the b.auty of their mistresses ; but he,
forsooth, must vindicate the chastity of his. Now
this to me seems still more extravagant."'

Velasco's retreat, which was in vain opposed by
IVIoncada, did not at all disturb the banquet : the
cavaliers, without taking much notice of it, conti-
nued their niiitli, and did not part till next morn-

286 GIL BLAS.

iiig at five o'clock, when mj master and I went
home to bed. I was overwhelmed with drowsi-
ness, and hoped to enjoy a good sleep ; but I
reckoned without ni_y host, or rather without our
porter, who came and waked me an hour after,
telling me that there was a young man at the gate,
who wanted to speak with me. " Ah 1 curse thee
for a porter (cried I, yawning), dost thou consider
that I have just now gone to bed ? Tell the young
man that I am asleep, and bid him return at ano-
ther time." — " He must sp^ak with you instantly
(replied he), for he assures me that the affair will
admit of no delay." At these words I got up,
and putting on my breeches and doublet only,
went to the door, cursing all the way. — " Friend
(said I to the young man who waited for me), let
me know, if you please, what pressing affair pro-
cures me the honour of seeing you so early in the
morning?" — '' I have (answered he), a letter for
Don Matthias, to be delivered into his own hand.
He must read it immediately ; for it is of the utmost
consequence to him : I beg you will therefore shew
me into his chamber." Thinking it treated on
some very important affair, I took the liberty of
waking my master : " \ ask pardon (said I io
hini), for interrupting your repose; but the im-
portance— " — '*■ What wouldst thou have?"
(cried he hastily). Upon which the young man
who accompanied me said, "' My lord, I have a
letter for you from Don Lope dc Vclasco." Don

GIL BLAS.

287

Matthias took, opened, and having- road it, said
to Don Lope's valet, " Hark'e, child, I would
not get up before noon to make one in the best
party of pleasure that ever was proposed; judge,
then, if I shall rise at six o'clock in the morning
to fight. — Thou may'st tell thy master, if he will
be in the same place half an hour after twelve, I
will meet him there." So saying, he sunk down
in his bed, and fell asleep again with great expe-
dition.

Between eleven and twelve he got up, and,
dressing with great composure, went out, telling
me he would dispense with my attendance ; but I
was too curious to know the consequence to obey
him in this, and therefore walked at some distance
behind him to St. Jerome's meadow, where I per-
ceived Don Lope de Velasco waiting for him in a
resolute manner. The better to observe them, I
concealed myself, and, from afar, could see thenj
meet, and begin to fight a moment after. The
combat was long, each in his turn having pushed
his antagonist with great vigour and address : but
\ictory declared for Don Lope, who run my
master through the body, and, leaving him
stretched ojpon the ground, made off, very well
satisfied with the vengeance he had taken. I ran
up to the unfortunate Don Matthias, whom I
found without sense, and almost without life. I
was melted at the sight, and could not help shed-
dino' tears at a death of which I had been an in-

5288 GIL BLAS.

voluntary instrument.— Notwithstanding my grief,
however, I did not forget my own little concerns ;
but returned home with all haste, where (without
speaking a syllable of the matter) I made up a
bundle of my clothes, among which I threw, by
mistake, some of my master's moveables; and,
when I had carried it to the barber's house, where
I had left my intriguing suit, published through
the v/hole city the fatal accident of which I was
witness : I told it to every body who gave me the
hearing, and, in particular, took care to inform
Rodriguez of what had happened. He seemed
less afflicted with the news, than busied about the
measures he was to take on this occasion. Having
assembled the servants, he ordered them to follow
him ; and, repairing in a body to St. Jerome's
meadow, we took up our master, who, though he
still breathed, died in three hours after he was
carried to his own house. Thus perished Don
Matthias de Silva, for having taken it into his
head to read forged love-letters at an useasonable
time.

OIL BLAS. 289

CHAP. IX.

Of the person in whose service he engaged, after
the death of Don Matthias de Silva.

A. FEW days after tlie funeral of Don Matthias,
all his servants being- paid and dismissed, I fixed
my abode in the house of the little barber^ with
whom I began to live in strict friendship; and
there I promised myself more pleasure than with
Melendez. As I did not want money, I was in
no hurry to inquire about a new place : besides, I
was become nice on that point, and resolved to
serve none but the quality for the future ; for
which reason I intended to examine narrowly into
whatever post should occur, believing that there
was none too good for me; so much did I then
think the valet of a young nobleman preferable to
all others.

In the mean time, until fortune should present
such a family as I thought I deserved, I imagined
nothing could be more agreeable than to conse-
crate my leisure to my handsome Laura, whom I
had not seen since that night when we were both
so pleasantly undeceived. I durst not uress in the
suit of Don Caesar de Ribera, \Nhich (unless I had
assumed it for a disguise) would have made me
pass for a downright madman : but my own was

VOL. I. u

290 GIL BIAS.

still very decent, and being very well equipped in
stockings, shoes, and hat, I adjusted myself, with
the barber's assistance, in a middle way between
Don Caesar and Gil Bias, and in this condition
repaired to Arsenia's house; where, finding her
alone, in the same parlour where I had seen her
before, she no sooner perceived me than she cried,
'' Ha ! are you there ? I thought I had lost you.
Seven or eight days are passed since I gave you the
permission of visiting me: I see you don't abuse
the liberties in which the ladies indulge you."

I excused myself on account of my master's
death, and the business in which I had been
engaged ; and added, in a very polite -manner, that
even in the midst of all my cares the fair Laura
had still kept possession of my heart. " Well,
then (said she), I vi'ill reproach you no more ; but
own, that I had also thought of you : and as soon
as I heard of the misfortune of Don Matthias,
formed a project which, perhaps, will not displease
you. — Some time ago I heard my mistress say,
that she wanted to have a kind of steward in the
house; a young man who should und rstand
economy, and keep an exact account of the money
disbursed for housekeeping. I have cast my eyes
on your lordship, and believe you would not be
an improper person for that employment." — -" I
perceive (answered I), that I should acquit myself
in it to a wonder ; for I have read Aristotle's
CEcononiics; and, as to keeping account?, li is

GIL BLAS.

291

my chief excellence. But, child (added I), there
is one objocfioii to my engaging in Arsenia's ser-
vice."— " What may that be?" (said Laura). —
" I have sworn (I replied) never to serve a ple-
beian : nay, I have sworn by Styx ; and if Jupiter
himself durst not violate that oath, judge if a valet
ought not to regard it." — '' Whom dost thou call
plebeians ? (said the chambermaid, with an air of
disdain). Dost thou rank actresses with the wives
of counsellors and attorneys? Know, friend, that
the ladies of the stage are not only noble^, but
arch-noble, by the alliance they contract with
men of quality."

" If that be the case, my princess (said I), I
may accept of the place for which you have des-
tined me, without derogating from the dignity of
my resolution." — " Certainly (she replied), to pass
from the family of a beau into the service of a
theatrical heroine, is still to maintain the same
sphere of life ; for we rank in all respects with the
quality: we keep equipages like them; we live
as well; and, at bottom, ought to hold the same
esteem in civil life. Really (added she), if we con-
sider a marquis and a player, through the course
of a day, we shall find theni upon a pretty equal
footinii ; f(»r, granting that the marquis, during
three parts of fhe day, is, by virtue of 'is bloody
superior to the pi.yer; the actor, dnri g I he re-
maining part, is raised still more ubo\e the mar-
quis by the cue of an emperor or king whom he

292

GIL BLAS.

represents. This, in mj opinion, invests us with
such nobilitj and grandeur as at least equals us to
the people at court." — '" O ! truly (I replied), you
are, without contradiction, on a level with the
courtiers. What the deuce ! players, I find, are
not such scums as I imagined; and you fire me
with an inclination to serve such honourable
people." — " Well, then (said she), come back
again in two days: I ask no more time to dispose
my mistress for thy reception. I will speak to her
in thy behalf; and, as I have some interest with
her, I am persuaded that thou wilt be admitted
into her service."

I thanked Laura for her friendship, and assured
her that I was penetrated with gratitude, which I
expressed with such transports as left her no room
to doubt my sincerity. We maintained a pret(y
long conversation together, aiid it would have
lasted longer, had not a little page come to tell my
princess that Arsenia wanted her ; upon which we
parted. I quitted the house of this actress, in the
sweet hope of living in it at my ease in a very short
time ; and did not fail to return at the time ap-
pointed. " I was just expecting thee (said Laura),
in order to assure thee that thou art now one of
the household: come, follow me, and I will present
thee to my mistress." So saying, she carried me
into an apartment, composed of five or six rooms
of a floor, each more richly furnished than the
other.

GIL BLAS. 293

Heavens ! \Nhat luxury and magnificence ! I be-
lieved myself in the palace of a vice-queen ; or
rather thought I saw all the riches in the world
amassed together in one place : for there was va-
riety of things produced in different nations : and
one might term his apartment the temple of some
goddess, to whom every traveller presented an
offering of the rarities of his country. — I perceived
the divinitv seated on a large satin couch, charm-
ing to the eye, and sleek with the steams of sacri-
fice : she was in a genteel dishabille, and her fair
hands were busy in preparing a new head-dress, in
which she was to perform that night. " Madam
(said her maid), here is the housekeeper I men-
tioned. I can assure you, that you will not find one
more for your purpose." Arsenia looked at me
very attentively, and I had the good fortune to
please her. " Aha ! Laura (cried she), there's a
pretty young fellow. I foresee that I shall be very
well satisfied with him." Then addressing herself
to me, " Child (said she), I like your appearance,
and am at a word : if you serve me well, you
shall have no cause to complain." I answered,
that my whole study and endeavour should be to
please her : and, seeing that we were agreed, went
to fetch my clothes, and was installed in my new
office.

294 GIL BLAS.

CHAP. X.
Which is as short as the foregoing.

It being near plaj-time, my inisdess bid Laura
and me follow her to the theatre. We went ac-
cordingly to her tiring-room, where she put off her
ordinary dress^ and took another more magnificent
for her appearance on the stage. The curtain being
drawn, Laura conducted and sat down by me in a
place where we could both see and hear the actors
perfectly well. I was disgusted at the greatest
part of them, doubtless because Don Pompeio had
prejudiced me against them. Several, however,
were very much applauded, and among these even
some who put me in mind of the fable of the pig.
Laura told me the names of all the actors and
actresses as they presented tiiemselves; and, not
contented with this, the satirical baggage described
their characters nicely, as they appeared. " This
here (said she) is a noodle. That fellow is a brute:
and tiiat minx whom you see, with an air more
. lewd than engaging, is called Rosarda ; a very bad
acquisition for the company ! she should be enrolled
in the troop that is raising by order of the viceroy
of New Spain, to be transported forthwith into
America. Observe tliat luminous constellation ad-
vancing ; that fair-setting sun, known by the name

CIL BLAS. 295

of Castilda : if she had exacted a stone from each
of her lovers, as a princess of Egypt is said to have
done heretofore, she could have raised a pyramid
which would have touched the third heaven." In
short, Laura gave no quarter : her malicious tongue
did not even spare her own mistress.

Nevertheless, I will confess my weakness : I
was charmed with my chambermaid, though her
character was not morally good. She satirised so
agreeably, that I was even in love with her malice.
Between the acts she got up, to go and sec if
Arscnia wanted her ; but instead of returning im-
mediately to her place, she amused herself behind
the scenes, in listening to the soft things that were
said by the men who flattered her. I followed
her for once to observe, and perceived that she had
a great many acquaintances ; having reckoned no
less than three actors, who, one after another,
stopped to speak with her, and seemed to treat her
with great familiarity. This was not at all agree-
able to mc, who feeling, for the first time, what it
was to bci jealous, returned to my seat so pensive
and melancholy, that Laura observed it as soon as
she came back. '' VV hat is the matter with thee,
Gil Bias ? (said she with surprise). What gloomy
demon has taken possession of thee since I went
away ? Thou seemest sad and dejected." — '' I have
too much reason to be so, my princess (answered
I) ; you have a little too much vivacity in your
behaviour ; I have observed you with the actors."

296 GIL BLAS.

— " A pleasant cause of melancholy, indeed ! (said
she, laughing). How ! does that give thee any un-
easiness ? Truly thou art a mere i.ovice : but thou
wilt see a great many other strange things among
us, and must accustom thyself to our easy way of
life. — Harbour no jealousy, child ; for that, among
comedians, is looked upon as ridiculous ; therefore
we have none of it. Fathers, husbands, brothers,
uncles, and cousins, with us, are the most complai-
sant persons on earth, and generally make settle-
ments for their own family."

After having exhorted me to take umbrage at
nothing, but look upon every thing with composure,
she declared that I was the happy mortal \%ho had
found the way to her heart ; and assured me, that
her love should always rest on me alone. On this
assurance, which however I might have distrusted,
without the imputation of being too suspicious, I
promised never more to be alarmed, and kept my
word : for that very evening I saw her in close
conversation, and heard her laugh heartily with
several different men. When the play was over,
we went home with our mistress, wlierc Florimonda
boon after arrived, with three old noblemen and an
actor, to supper. Besides Laura and me, there
'^^ercjt^. of servants in the house, a cook-mair?, a coach-
man, 'ot^„j a page, who all joined in preparing for
supper. • , w^Q cook, w ho was no less dexterous than
Dame Ji^i^cinta, was assisted by the coachman m
dressing th xg victuals^, while the chambermaid and

GIL BLAS. 297

page laid the clotlij and I furnished the beaufet
with the finest plate and several cups of g<dd,
which were offered to the goddess of the (eriiple.
I stored it likewise with bottles of the choicest
wines, serving in my own person as cup-bearer, to
shew my mistress that I could turn my hand to
every thing. The deportment of the actresses,
during the repast, filled me with admiration: they
assumed airs of importance, and imagined them-
selves women of the first rank. Far from address-
ing the noblemen with the title of your excellence,
they did'not even give them that of your lordship;
but called them simply by their names: true, in-
deed, these very noblemen had spoiled and made
them so vain hy suffering them to be so familiar. —
As for the actor, he, like a player used to perform
the hero, treated them w ithout ceremony, drank to
their health, and maintained (as one may say) the
upper end of the table. " Upon my soul (said 1'
to myself) when Laura demonstrated the quality
of the marquis and player in the day-time, she
might have added that they are still more so in
the night, since they spend it thus in drinking to-
gether.'

Arsenia and Florimonda being naturally wanton,
a thousand hardy expressions escaped them, min-
gled with small favours and toyings which were
exquisitely relished by these old sinners. While
my mistress amused the one with a little innocent
ribaldry, her friend, sitting between the other two.

S98 GIL BLAS.

did not act the Susanna with them. While I was
considering this picfmc, which had but too many
charms To. a yonng fellow like me, the dessert was
broughi ju : upon which I set wine and glasses on
the table, a;,d went to supper with Laura, who
waited i^oi me. " Well, Gil Bias (said she), what is
thy opinion of those nifblemen thou hast seen ?" —
*«■ Thej are doubtless (answered I) adorers of Arse-
iiia and Floi imonda." — " No (said she), they are old
lechers, who visit co([uets without attachinji: them-
selves to then), and ask only small compliances^
paving" generously for tlie trifling favours they
receive Thank heaven ! Floi imonda and my- mis-
tress are at present without lovers ; I M)ean such
lovers as assume the husband, and want lo engross
all the pleasure of the house, because they support
the expense of it. As for n\y own part, 1 am very
glad it is so ; and mamtain that a coquet of sense
ought to fly these sort of engagements. Why
should she give up her liberty to a master ? 'Tis
better to acquire an equipage penny by penny,
than have one at such a price."
- When Laura was in a speaking humour (which
was almost always the case), words cost hernothing.
— Heaven 1 what a volubility of tongue was she
mistress of! She told me a thousand adventures
which had happened to the actresses of the prince's
company ; and I concluded from her discourse, that
I could not be in a better situation to become per-
fectly acquainted with vice. I was unhappily of an

GIL ELAS.

299

age when this does not create much horror : and
besides, the chambermaid painted these irregula-
rities so artfully, that I beheld only the delicious
side of them. She iuul not time to relate the tenth
part of the exploits of the actresses ; for she had
spoke but three hours, when the noblemen and
player withdrew with Florimonda, whom they
conducted to her own house. ^

After they were gone, my mistress giving me
money, said, '' There Gil Bias, are ten pistoles to
go to market to-morrow morning : five or six of
our gentlemen and ladies are to dine witli me, so
that you must take care and have every thing in
plenty." — ''Madam (answered I), with this sum I'll
engage to entertain the whole troop." — '^ Friend
(replied Arsenia), be so good as to correct your
expressions : you must not call them the troop, but
the co:npany. We say a troop of thieves, a troop
of beggars, and a troop of authors ; but learn to
say, a company of comedians. The corps of actors
in Madrid, especially, deserve to be called a com-
pany." I asked pardon for having used such a
disrespectful term,, and most humbly begged she
would excuse my ignorance ; protesting that^ for
the future, whensoever I should mention the gen-
tlemen actors of Madrid in a collective manner, I
would always call thera the company.

300 GIL BLAS.

CHAP. XL

How the jjlayers lived together ; and their treat-
mcnt of the authors.

J. WENT to market next morning, in order to
begin my ofiice of butler ; and as it was a meagre-
day, bought,, by order of my mistress^ some good
fat pullets, rabbits, partridges, and other wild
fowl ; for as the geutlenien players were not alto-
gether satisfied with the behaviour of the church
towards them, they did not think proper to adhere
scrupulously to its commandments. — I brought
borne more victuals than would have sufiSced twelve
honest gentlemen, during three days in carnival-
time ; so that the cook had work enough for the
whole morning. While she prepared the dinner,
Arcsenia got up, and remained at her toilet till
noon, when Signors Rosimiro and Ricardo (two
actors) arrived ; Constantia and Celinaura (two
actresses) came soon after : and at last Florimonda
appeared, accompanied by a man who had all the
appearance of a finished coxcomb. His hair was
tied behind in a very foppish manner, his hat
adorned with a plume of green feathers, his
breeches smooth and straight, and his shirt, which
was very fine, was embroidered with a handsome
lace, displayed at the slashes of his doublet. His

GIL BLAS. 301

gloves and handkerchief were contained within the
hilt of his sword, and he wore his cloke with a
grace altogether peculiar.

Though he had a good mien, and was very well
made, I no sooner saw him, than remarking in him
something singular, I said to myself, " This gen-
tleman must certainly be an original," I was not
mistaken ; for he was a man of a very extraordinary
character. As soon as he entered Arsenia's apart-
ment, he ran with open arms and en)braced the
actresses and actors, one after another, with ges-
tures still more extravagant than those of the
beaus. My opinion was not changed when I heard
him speak; for he made aflVctcd pauses, and pro-
nounced his words with great emphasis, accom-
modating his looks and gestures to the subject.'
Having asked Laura who tl;at gentleman was, " I
don't wonder (said she) at thy curiosity : it is im-
possible to see and hear Signor Carlos Alonso de
la Veutoleria, even for once, witiiout feeling the
same emotion. I will describe him to the life. In
the fir^it place, he has been a player; but quitted
the stage through whim, and now repents in
earnest. His black hair, which thou seest, is dyed,
as w.ell as ln« eye-brows and wiskers ; for he is
older than Saturn : but as his parents, when he was
born, necflectcd to have his name inserted in the
parish register, he takes the advantage of their
omission, and calls himself younger than he is by
twenty good years at least. He is, moreover, the

302 GIL BLAS.

most self- conceited man in Spain, though he spent
the first sixty years of his life in the grossest
ignorance ; but, in order to become learned^ he
employed a preceptor, who has taught him to spell
ill Latin and Greek. Besides, he has got an in-
finite number of good stories by heart, which he
has repeated and -vouched so often, that at length he
actually believes them to be true. These he brings
into conversation, and one may say, that his wit
shines at the expense of his memory. He has the
character of being a great actor, and I piously be-
lieve it ; but, nevertheless, I will own that he does
not please me. I hear hira repeat sometimes in
company, and among other faults think his pro-
nunciation too much affected, and his voice so
quavering that it gives an antic and ridiculous air
to his declamation."

Such was the picture that my sweetheart drew of
this honorary stage-player, who was really in his
deportment the most haughty mortal I had ever
seen. He played the orator too, and did not fail
to produce from his budget two or three stories,
which he uttered with a studied air of solemnity.
On the other hand, the actresses and actors, who
did not come there to hold their tongues, were not
silent ; but began to talk of their absent comrades,
not in a very charitable manner indeed : but this
must be pardoned in players as well as in authors.
The conversation, therefore, kindling against their
neighbours,—'' You cannot guess, ladies (said

GIL BLAS.

303

Rosimiro), a new piece of finesse of our dear con-
federate Cesarino. He, this morning, purchased
silk stockings, ribbons, and lace, which he ordered
a page to bring to the rehearsal, as if sent by a
certain countess," — "Such a piece of knavery!
(said Signor de Ycntoleria, with a silly, vain sim-
per), there was no such deceit in my time : we
never dreamt of composing such stories : the ladies
of quality, uideed, spared us the invention by mak-
ing the purchase themselves: it was their fancy."
— '•' Zooks ! (said Ricardo) they have that fancy
still j and was I permitted to explain myself — but
one must be silent on these sort of adventures,
especially when persons of certain rank are con-
cerned."

" Gentlemen (said Florimonda, interrupting
him), truce with your intrigues, if you please; they
are very well known to all the world, and let us
talk of Imenia. They say that nobleman, who has
spent so much money upon her, has left her at
last." — '' Yes, truly (cried Constantia), and I'll
tell you more ; she has lost a little citizen, whom
she certainly would have ruined, I know the
foundation of the whole affair: her Mercury com-
mitted a terrible blunder, by carrying to the noblc-
nmn a letter she had wrote to the citizen, and
giving this last the billet intended for the lord."
— " These are great losses, my dear," (replied
Florimonda). — " Oh ! as fur the nobleman (said
Con«tantia) there is no great matter : he has spent

304

GIL BLAS.

almost his whole estate : but the citizen had just
began his career, and had never passed through
good hands, which is a thousand pities."

In this manner they discoursed before dinner,
and their conversation turned on the same subjects
while tlie}' were at table. But as I should never
have done, if I undertook to repeat all the expres-
sions full of malice and folly which I heard, I
hope the reader will excuse me for suppressing*
them, in order to describe the reception of a poor
devil of an author, who came in towards the end
of the repast.

Our page came, and said aloud to his mistress,
'' Madam, a man in marvellous foul linen, bedag-
gled all over, and who, so please you, looks very
much like a poet, wants to speak with you." —
'' Shew him up (answered Arsenia) : don't stir,
gentlemen, 'tis but an author." Sure enough it was
one, whose tragedy had been received, and who
brought a part for my mistress. He was called
Pedro de Moya, and, as he entered, made five or
six profound bows to the company, who neither
got up, nor returned his compliment. Arsenia
only answered his profusion of civility by a slight
inclination of her head. He advanced into the
room, trembling and confused, and let his gloves
and cloke fall, which having taken up, he ap-
proached my mistress, and presented to her a
paper with more respect than that of a counsellor,
when he delivers a petition to a judge; sayings

GIL BLAS. 306

" Be so good. Madam, as to accept of this part,
which I take the liberty to ofl'er." She received
it in a cold and disdainful manner, without even
deigning to answer his compliment.

This, however, did not discourage our author,
who making use of tliis opportunity to distribute
the different parts of his play, gave one to Rosi-
miro, and anotiier to Florimonda, who did not
treat him a whit more courteously than Arsenia
had done. On the contrary, the player, naturally
very obliging, as these gentlemen commonly are,
insulted him with the most cutting raillery, which
Pedro de Moya felt, but durst not retort, lest his
piece should suffer from his imprudence. He re-
tired, therefore, without speaking, but sensibly
touched, as I perceived, with his reception: and I
believe (hat in the bitterness of his resentment, he
did not fail to curse within himself the players, as
they deserved ; and they, when he was gone, began
to speak of authors with great disrespect. " Signor
Pedro de Moya (said Florimonda), did not seem
to go away well satisfied."

" Pshaw, Madam (cried Rosimiro), don't disturb
yourself about that: authors are not worth notice;
if we should treat them on an equal footing, it
would spoil them. 1 know these sorry gentlemen;
they would soon forget themselves. Let us, there-
fore, use them like slaves, and we need not fear
that we shall tire their patience: for though their
displeasure may detach them from us sometimes,

VOL. I. X

306

€HL BLA3.

the fury of writing will bring them back, and they
will think themselves very happy, provided we
deign to act their performances/' — " You are in
the right (said Arsenia), we only lose those authors
whose fortunes we have made ; for as soon as we
have procured a good settlement for them, idleness
takes possession of them, and they work no more.
Luckily the company don't break their hearts, and
the public is no loser by their sloth."

These fine observations were much applauded,
and it was determined, that authors, notwithstand-
ing the ill-treatment they receive, owed their all to
the players, who, therefore, claimed the superiority
over them, and certes they could not despise them
more.

CHAP. XIL

Gil Bias acquires the theatrical taste, abandons
himself to the pleasuf^es of a comic life, with
which, however, he is disgusted in a little time,

Jl HK company remained at table until the hour
arrived of going to the theatre, whither they re-
paired in a body. I followed, and once more saw
the play, which gave me sucli pleasure^ that I re-
solved to take the same opportunity every day.
In this I did not fail, and insensibly became
reconciled to the actors ; such is the force of cus-

£IL BL4«.

ao7

torn : 1 was particularly charmed with those who
ranted and distorted themselves most upon the
stage, and was not at all singular in this way of
thinking.

The beauty of the performance touched n)e no
less than the manner of representation ; I was
quite transported with some of them ; and among
the rest was prodigiously fond of those where all
the cardinals, or the twelve peers of France, ap-
peared. I remember that in two days I got by
heart a whole comedy, entitled. The Queen of
Flowers. The Rose, who was queen, had the
Violet for her confidante, and the Jessamine for
her usher. I thought nothing could be more in-
genious than ihr?c works, which I imagine did a
great deal of honour to tlie taste of our nation.

I not only adorned my memory with the brightest
passages from these dramatic master-pieces ; I set
about bringing my taste to perfection ; which, to
accomplish, I listened with a greedy attention to
all that the players said. If they praised any per-
formance, I esteemed it ; and whatsoever met with
their disapprobation was immediately despised by
me. 1 thought they were as skilful in plays as
jewellers are in diamonds. Nevertheless, Pedro
de Moya's tragedy had great success, although
they had prognosticated its damnation. 15ut even
this could not make me suspect their judgment;
and I chose rather to believe that the public
wanted common sense, than to doubt of the com-

308 GIL BLA8,

pany's infallibilitj. I was assured, however, from
all quarters, that those new pieces, of which the
players had no good opinion, were usually very
much applauded ; and that, on the contrary, those
which they received with approbation, were com-
monly hissed by the audience. I was told that it
was a maxim with them to judge erroneously of
the works that were presented to them ; and was
informed of a thousand instances where the success
belied their determination ; but all these proofs
were scarce sufficient to disabuse my under-
standing.

I shall never forget what happened one day in
the first representation of a new comedy, which the
players had pronounced cold and tedious, and
actually thought unpassable. In these sentiments
they performed the first act, that met with great
applause, which quite astonished them. The second
act was played, and still better received than the
first: upon which the actors were confounded.
" How the devil ! (said Rosimiro) is it possible
that this comedy should take ?" At last they acted
the third, which gave more pleasure than the two
former. " I can't comprehend the meaning of this
(said Ricardo) ; we imagined that this piece would
not please, yet every body is charmed with it," —
" Gentlemen (said one of them very plainly), the
reason is, because there are a thousand strokes
of wit in the performance which we have not
observed."

GIL BLAS.

309

I no longer, therefore, looked upon the plajers
as excellent judges, but became a just appraiser of
their merit: and, indeed, tih^y justified to a tittle
all the ridicule they met with iVom the world: for
some of the actors and actresses were giddy with
applause: and consitlering themselves as objects of
admiration, thought they hestowed a favour on the
public when they deigned to play. 1 was shocked
at their faults, hut unhappily too well pleased with
their way of life ; so tliat I plunged into debauch-
cry. How cuukl it be otherssise ? Their conver-
sation was pernicious to youth, and all I saw con-
tributed to corrupt my morals : had I been ignorant
of what passed at the houses of Castilda, Constantia^
and the other players, that of Arsenia's alone was
but too capable of undoing me : for, hesides the
old noblemen 1 mentioned, there came thither
beaus, youi^g heirs whom usurers enabled to spend
money, and sometime*, also, farmers of the revenue
were admitted, who, far from being gratified for
their presence, as they are in their own assemblies,
where obliged to pay through the nose for their
reception,

Florimonda, who lived hard by, dined and sup-
ped every day with my mistress ; and people were
surprised at the friendship that seemed to unite
them. It afiorded matter of astonishment to see
coquets live together in such good intelligence;
and every body imagined that, soon or late, they
would Quarrel about some jj^alktit. R'lt the world

SIO

frff, BLAS.

was verj much mistukea iu these perfect friends,
M ho v,'ere joined by the most solid affection. In-
stead of being jealous of one another, like other
women, thej Vivcd in common ; and chose rather to
share the spoils than foolishly dispute about the
inclinations of the men,

Laura, by the example of these illustrious asso-
ciates, made the best of her youth too : and it was
not without reason she had told me that I should
see strange things : however, I aiiected to be quite
easy ; because I had promised to adopt the uncon-
cern of a player on such occasions ; and thus I dis-
sembled for some days, contenting myself with
asking the names of the men with whom I found
her particularly engaged. She always answered
that it was an uncle or cousin. Heavens ! what a
crowd of relations she had. Sure her family was
more numerous than that of King Priam: and the
jade did not even confine herself to her uncles and
cousins ; but also went abroad frequently in order
to allure strangers, by acting ihe widow of quality
at the house of the old won. an whom I mentioned
before. In short, Laura (to give the reader a just
and precise idea of her) was as young, as hand-
some, and as nuich a coquet as her mistress, who
had no other advantage over her than that of
diverting the town in public. I was borne down
by the torrent for three weeks, during which I gave
myself up to all manner of debauchery : but, at the
same time, I must observe, in the midst of my

GIL BLAS.

311

pleasures, I was fiequentl_y seized with sentimentg
of remorse that proceeded from my education, and

cmhittered all my enjoyments. Vice could not get
the better of these warnings;, which augmented in
proportion as I became mne debauched, and, by
the effect of a liappy dispo.^ition, I began to abhor
the disorders of a tlieatrical life. " Ah, wretch !
(said I to myself) is it thus thou fulfiilest the expec-
tation of thy family ? Was it not enough to cheat
it by choosing another employment than that of a
tutor ? Does thy servile condition hinder thee from
living like an honest man ? or does it become thee
to live among such sinners ? some of whom are
possessed by envy, rage, and avarice ; whilst others
liave banished all sense of shame. These are aban-
doned by inteniperance and sloth ; and tliose in-
dulge their pride even to an excess of insolence.
I am resolved, and will no longer dwell with the
•even deadly sins."

THS END OF THE THIRD BOOK.

GIL B L A S

SANTILLANE.

BOOK IV.

CHAP. I.

Gil Bias being disgusted at the irregtdarities of
the actresses, quits the service of ArseniUy and
gets into a more creditable family.

A. REMNANT of Iioiiour Slid rcligioii, which I did
not fail to preserve amidst such corruption of
morals, made me resolve not only to leave Arsenia,
but also to break off all correspondence with
Laura, whom, however, I could not help loving,
though I was sensible of her flagrant infidelity.
Happy is he who can thus profit by those moments
of reflection that interrupt the pleasures which en-
gross his attention ! Early one morning I bundled
up my clothes, and without clearing with Arsenia,
who was, indeed, little or nothing in my debt, or
taking leave of my dear Laura, I quitted the house

GIL BLA9. S\S

where I had breathed nothing but the air of de-
bauchery ; and I had no sooner performed such a
good action than heaven rewarded nie for it, by
throwing me in the way of the steward of Don
Matthias^ my lato master. Having saluted him, he
knew me, and stopped to inquire if I was in any
service : to which I answered, that I had been
about a minute or two out of plate : for that, after
having lived about a month with Arsenia, whose
behaviour I did not like, I had left her of my own
accord, in order to preserve my innocence. The
steward, as if he had been scrupulously religious,
approvedof my delicacy, and told me that, since I
was a young man of such honour, he would make
it his business to settle me in an advantageous
place. He performed his promise, and that very
day introduced me into the service of Don Vincent
de Guzman, whose manager was one of his ac-
quaintance.

I could not liave got into a better family, and
therefore had no cause to be displeased with my
situation in the sequel. Don Vincent was a very
lich old nobleman, who had lived many years with-
out law-suit or wife ; the physicians having de-
prived bin) of his spouse, by endtavouring to free
her of a cough, which she might have preserved
much longer had she abstained from their prescrip-
tioFis. Instead of marrying again, he had applied
himself wholly to the education of Aurora, his
only daughter, who was then going in her six and

314 eiL BLAS.

twentieth jear, and justly passed for an accom-
plished joung lady, for, with an uncommon share
of beauty, she had an excellent genius perfectly
well cultivated. Her father, though he was no
conjurer, possessed the happy talent of managing
his atTairs to the best advantage ; but had one
fault, which, however, is pardonable in old men.
He delighted in talking, and, above all things, of
war aiid bloodshed. If any body was so unfortu-
nate as to touch that string in his presence, he in-
stantly set the trumpet to his mouth ; and the
hearers were very happy if they got off for the
relation of two sieges and three battles. As he had
spent two-thirds of his life in the army, his memory
was an inexhaustible source of different actions,
which were not always listened to with the same
applause which he felt in recounting them. Be-
sides, he stammered in his speech, and was very
prolix, which rendered his manner of relating very
disagreeable. Otherwise I never knew a nobleman
of a better character. He had a great deal of
equanimity, and was neither passionate nor whim-
sical : a circumstance which I admired very much
in a man of quality. Though he was a good eco-
nomist, he kept an honourable house, his domestics
consisting of several footmen, and three women who
waited on Aurora. I soon perceived that the
steward of Don Matthias had procured a good post
for me, and bent all my endeavours to maintain
myself in it : for this purpose 1 began by recon-

• IL BLAS.

S15

noitring the ground, that is, studying the different
humours of every body in the family; then, regu-
lating niy conduct by the observations I made, it
was not long before I acquired the good-will of
my master, and all his servants.

When I bad been about a month in Don Vin-
cent's family, I thought I perceived that his
daughter distinguished me from all the rest of the
valets in the house. Always, when her eyes were
fixed upon me, I remarked a sort of- complaisance
in her countenance, which I could not observe
when she looked at my fellows. Had I not lived
among beaus and players it would never have come
into my head to imagisie tliat Aurora could think
of me; but I was a good deal spoiled among
these gentlemen, who are seldom extremely deli-
cate in their sentiments of the most virtuous ladies.
'' If (said I to myself), we may believe those siage-
players, they are sometimes benefited by the whims
to which women of quality are subject. And
how do I kiiow^ that my mistress is free from such
caprice ? No ! (added 1) I caimot believe it. She
is not one of those Messalirias who, belying the
pride of their birth, humble their affections so un-
worthily, even to the dust, and dishonour them-
selves without blushing. But rather one of those
virtuous, though tender young ladies, who, satis-
fied with the bounds prescribed by honour to their
inclinations, make no scruple of inspiring as well

316 GIL BLAS.

as of entertaining a delicate pas&ion, which yields
amusement wiihout danger."

These were my sentiijients of my mistress, though
I did not know precisely how to interpret her be-
haviour. In the mean tji?ie, as often as she saw
me, she did not fail to smile and express joy in her
countenance ; so that, without passing for a fool,
any man might have been ensnared by such fair
appearances : I therefore could resist them no
longer ; but concluded, that Aurora was strongly
captivated wiih my iDcrit; and looked upon myself
as one of those happy domestics whose servitude is
sweetened by love. That I might appear in some
measure less unworthy of the favour which my
good fortune had procured for me, I began to
lake more care of my person than I had ever done
before: I spent all the money I had in linen,
essences, and pomatums : the first thing I did of a
morning was to dress and perfume myself, that I
might not appear in dishabille before my mistress ;
and with this attetition to n)y exteriors, and other
airs I assuir.ed, in order to please, I flattered
myself that my happiness was not far off.

Among Aurora's women there was one called
Ortiz, an old gentlewoman who had lived more
than twenty years in the family, and nursed Don
Vincent's daughter, whom she still served in qua-
lity of a duenna, tliough she no longer performed
the disagreeahlf part of that function; but, on

SIL BLAS, 317

the contrary, instead of discovering, as formerly,

the actions of Aurora, her sole business now was
to conceal them. One evening Dame Ortiz, hav-
ing found an opportunity of speaking to me with-
out bcir.g overheard, told me softly, that if I was
wise and discreet, I would be in the garden at
midnight, where I should be informed of things
which I should not be sorry to hear, T answered,
squeezing the duenna's hand, that I would not fail
to be there; and we parted immediately for fear
of being surprised. Heavens! how did the time
hang on my hands from that instant to supper
(which in our family was always over in good time),
and from thence to my master's going to bed !
Everything seemed to drag on with extraordinary
slowness, and, to crown my chagrin, when Don
Vincei.t retired to his bed-chamber, instead of
going to rest, he began to fight over again all his
campaigns in Portugal, with which he had so often
stunned me before. But one thing whicli he had
never done hitherto, and reserved for this evening,
was to tell me the names of all the oiriccrs who had
distinguished themselves in his time, and even to
recount their exploits. What did I suffer in hear-
ing him to an end ! He left off speaking, however,
at last, and got into bed. Upon which I \\ent
into the little closet where I slept, fron) whence
there was a passage, by a pair of back-stairs, into
the garden, and anointed my whole body with
Msence : I then put on a clean shirt strongly per-

318

GIL BLA8.

fumed, and having neglected nothing which I
thought might flatter the passion of my mistress,
went directly to the place of assignation.

Not finding Ortiz there, I concluded that, tired
with waiting for nie, she had returned to her
apartment^ and that the happy minute was past.
I blamed Don Vincent for it, and as I was curs-
ing his campaigns, heard it strike ten. This
made me believe that the clock went wrong, for I
was persuaded that it was at least an hour past
midnight ; but I was so happily mistaken, that, a
good quarter of an hour after this, I heard another
clock strike ten again. " Very well (said I to
myself), I have but two whole hours to dance at
tendance, and they shall have no cause to com-
plain of my punctuality. Vi^hat must we do till
twelve ? Let us take a turn in the garden, and
consider the part I am to play, which is a pretty
new one to me, who am but a novice in the whims
of women of quality. I know well enough how
to behave with abigails and actresses ; these you
accost with a familiar air, and come to the point
without ceremony ; but we must go another way
to work with l;idies of fashion : the gallant, I
imagine, niust be polite, complaisant, tender, and
respectful, though not timorous : instead of endea-
vouring to hasten his own happiness by the vio-
lence of his transports, he ought to lie in wait for
the moment of frailty."

These were my reflections, and this the conduct

CIL BLil. 319

I proposed to observe with Aurora ;' representiog
to myself, that, in a little time, I should have the
pleasure of seeing; myself at her feei, and of saying
a thousand passionute things to that amiable ob-
ject. I even recollected all the passages of our
theatrical pieces, which might be of service to me,
and do me honour during our interview ; and by a
seasonable application of these I hoped (after the
example of some players whom I knew) to pass for
a wit, though I could only boast of a memory.
Absorbed in these reflections, which amused my
impatience more agreeably than the military stories
of my master, I heard the clock strike eleven;
upon which I plunged again into my reverie,
sometimes walking, and sometimes sitting in an
arbour at the farther end of the garden. The
long-expected hour of twelve at last struck, and
in a few minutes Ortiz, us punctual, though less
impatient than I, appeared. " Signor Gil Bias
(said she, accosting me), how long have you been
here?" I replied, two hours. •' In good sooth
(said she, laughing), you are very exact; it is a
pleasure to make an assignation with you. True,
indeed (continued she, with a serious air), you
cannot pay too dear for the happy tidings I have
to tell you. My mistress wants to have some pri-
vate conversation with you, I will say no more.
The rest is a secret you must learn from her own
mouth. Follow me, and 1 will conduct you into
her apartment." So saying, the duenna took m«

320 GIL BLAS.

by the hand, and led nie, in a mysterious manner,
through a little door, of which she had the key,
into the chamber of her mistress.

CHAP. II.

The reception which Gil Bias met with from
Aurora^ and the conversation that passed be-
tween them.

I SALUTED Aurora, whom I found in dishabille,
in the most respectful manner, and with the best
grace I could put on ; and she received me with a
smiling air^ forced me to sit down by her, and bade
her embassadrcss retire into another room. After
this prelude, with which I was not ill pleased, she
addiessed herself to me in these words : " Gil
Bias, you must have perceived that I look upon
you in a favourable light, and distinguish you from
the rest of my father's servants ; and even, though
you may not have observed by my looks that I
have a regard for you, the step I have taken this
night will leave you no room to doubt it."

I gave her no time to proceed, but believing
that I ought, as a polite gentleman, to spare her
modesty the pain of a more formal explanation, I
started up in a transport, and throwing myself at
her fert, like a stage hero, who falls on his knees

M
W

GIL BLA9.

32S

my inquiries the following day, when I wa^ more
successful. Meetine; by accident, in the street, a
young man of my acquaintance^ we stopped to
chat a little, and, that very instant a friend of his
happening to pass, nsade up to us, and told his
comrade, that he had been just turned away by
Don Pacheco, the father of Don Lewis, on suspi-
cion of having drank a cask of wine belonging to
his master. 1 did not lose such a fair opportunity
of being informed of every thing I wanted to
know, and succeeded so well by the questions I
asked, that I went home very well satisfied that I
was able to keep my word with my mistress. I
was to see her again the next night, at the same
hour and in the same manner as at first ; but 1 did
not suffer so much disquiet that night, and far
from bearing the conversation of my old inaster
with impatience, I introduced the subjects of his
campaigns, waited for twelve with the utmost
tranquillity, and it was not until I had heard the
hour repeated by several clocks that I went down
into the garden, void of essence and perfumes,
resolved for the future to retrencii that extrava-
gance.

I found the most trusty duenna at the rendez-
vous, and she upbraided me in a satirical niauner
for having abated in my diligence. I made no
answer, but let her conduct me into the apartment
of Aurora, \vhi», as soon a^ I appeared, asked if I

524

@IL BLAS.

had got good intelligence of Don Lewis ?—'' Yes,
Madam (said I), and you shall hear it in two
words. In the first place I must tell you, that he
will set out very soon, on his return to Salamanca,
in order to finish his studies. He is a young ca-
valier of honour and probity, and, being a gentle-
man and Castilian, his courage is not to be
doubted ; he has, besides, a great deal of wit, and
his behaviour is very agreeable : but that which,
perhaps, you will least like in him, is a disposi^
tion, too much a-kin to that of most of our young
noblemen, extremely rakish. You must know
that, young as he is, he has already had twa
actresses in keeping." — " Is it possible ! (cried
Aurora) heavens ! what morals 1 But are you
certain, Gil Bias, that he leads such a licentious
life?"—'' Oh ! I don't at all doubt it. Madam (I
replied) ; I was informed by a valet, who was
turned out of his service this morning : and ser-
vants are commonly very sincere, when they talk
of their master's faults : besides, he keeps com-
pany with Don Alexo Segiar, Don Antonio Cen-
telle?, and Don Fernando de Gamboa ; and that
alone is a sufficient demonstration of his liberti-
nism."— '' Enough, Gil Bias (said my mistress,
sighing) ; on the credit of your report, I will
combat my unworthy passion, which, though it
has already taken deep root in my heart, I don't
despair to overrome. Go (added she, giving me a

61L BLA9. 32j

little purse well replenished), there is something
for your trouble ; beware of disclosing- nij secret,
aud remember that I depend upon your silence."

I assured my mistress ihat she might make her-
self perfectly easy on that score, for I was the
Harpocrates* of trusty valets. After this assur-
ance, I withdrew, very impatient to know the
contents of the purse, in which I found twenty
pistoles. This made me believe that Aurora
would have certainly given me more had I brought
her agreeable tidings, since she paid me so hand-
somely for such a mortifying piece of news : and
I repented that I had not imitated the lawyers,
who sometimes put a gloss upon the truth, in the
practice of their profession : I was sorry for having
nipped in the bud an intrigue, the consequence of
which might have been very advantageous to me ;
however, I had the consolatio!) to see myself in-
demnified for my unseasonable expense in essences
and perfumes.

* Harpocrates, amonjj the ancients, was worshipped as the
•God of Silence.

326 GIL BLAS.

CHAP. 111.

Tke great change that happened in the family of
Don Vincent; and the strange resolution with
which love insjyired the fair Aurora.

Soon after this adventure. Signer Don Vincent
happened to fall sick ; and though he had not been
in such an advanced age, the symptoms of his
disease were so violent, that we had reason to fear
a fatal issue. When he vvas first seized, two of the
most famous physicians of Madrid were sent for.
One of them was called Doctor Andros, and the
other Doctor Oquetos, who having examined the
patient with great attention, were of opinion, that
tiie humours of his body were in a state of fermen-
tation ; but in nothing else could they agree. —
" We must make haste (said Andros) and purge
off the humours, though they be crude, while they
continue in this violent agitation of flux and re-
flux, lest they settle upon some noble part." —
Oquetos, on the contrary, maintained, that they
ought to wait for the concoction of the humours,
before they should employ a cathartic. — " But
your method (resumed the Hrst), is directly opposite
to that of the prince of medicine: Hippocrates
orders eatliartics in the very first days of the most
ardent fever, atid says, in express terms, that we
niubt be ready to purge when the humours arc in

6IL BLAS. 337

<he orgasm ; that is to say, in a state of ferraen-
tatioD." — Oh ! there you are mistaken (replied
Oquctos) ; Hippocrates, by (he word orgasm, does
not understand the fcrmentationj but the concoc-
tion of the humours."

Upon this, the doctors grew passionate ; one
repeated the Greek iexi, and quoted all the authors
who had explained it in his way ; the other, re-
lying on a Latin translation, pronounced it in a
tone still more vociferous. Which of them was in
the right ? Don Vincent was not the man to decide
that question ; but seeing himself obliged to
choose, bestowed his confidence on him who had
dispatched the greatest number of patients ; I mean
the eldest of the two. Andros, therefore, who was
the younger, withdrew, not without darting some
strokes of raillery at his senior, on his interpreta-
tion of the word orgasm. Oquetos, who remained
triumphant, being a man of Doctor Sangrado's
principle, began, by ordering his patient to be
copiously blooded, deferring his cathartic until
the humours should be concocted ; but death,
who, without doubt, was afraid the purgation so
sagely delayed would deprive him of his prey,
prevented the concoction, and carried my master
off. Such was tlie end of Signor D^n Vincent,
who lost his life, because his physician did not
understand Greek !

Aurr-ra having celebrated her fatlier'd funeral, in
a manner suitable to his birih, took possession of

$2S (GIL BLAS.

his estate, and, beiug* now mistress of herself, dis-
missed some of the domestics, with rewards pro-
portioned to their several services, and in a little
lime, retired to a castle which she had on the
banks of the Tagus, between Sacedon and Buendia.
I was not only one of those whom she had retained,
and carried into the country with her, but also had
the good fortune to become a necessary person.
Notwithstanding the faithful report I had made to
her of Don Lewis, she was still in love with that
cavalier ; or rather, finding herself unable to con-
quer her passion, she had abandoned herself en-
tirely to it ; and being no longer under a necessity
of taking precautions to speak with me in private,
" Gil Elas (said she, sighing), I cannot forget Don
Le7.'is ; in spite of all my efforts to banish him
from my thoughts, he is still present in my ima-
gination ; not such as thou hast painted him,
plunged in all sorts of debauchery ; but such as I
would have him to be, tender, amorous, and con-
stant." So saying, she began to melt, and could
not help shedding some tears ; which affected me
so much, that I could scarce refrain from weeping
also ; and I could not make my court to her more
effectually, than by sympathising with her sorrow.
— '^ 1 see thou hast a very tender disposition, my
friend (added she, after having dried her fair eyes),
and I am so well satisfied with thy zeal, that thou
mayest depend upon being well recompensed.
Dear Gil Bas, I have more occasion now than

«IL BLAS.

St9

ever for thy assistance. I will disclose to thee a
design, which at present engrosses me, and which
thou wilt, no doubt, pronounce very capricious.
Know, that liniciid to set out immediately for Sala-
manca, where I will disguise myself like a cavalier,
and, under the name of Don Felix, get acquainted
with Pacheco, whose confidence and friendship I
will endeavour to acquire : I will often speak to
him of Aurora de Guzman, and call myself her
cousin ; by which means, he will, perhaps, express
a desire to see her ; and then my expectation will
be answered. We will have two different lodgings
at Salamanca, in one of which I will pass for Don
Felix, in the other for Aurora, and presenting
myself to the eyes of Don Lewis, sometimes meta-
morphosed into a man, and sometimes in my
own dress, I flatter myself that I shall by degrees,
accomplish my purpose. I grant (added she), that
this is an extravagant scheme; but I am hurried
away by my passion, and the innocence of my in-
tention makes me insensible of the risk I must run."
I was very much of Aurora's opinion, with re-
gard to the nature of her design ; nevertheless,
how imprudcrit soever I judged it, I took care not
to act the pedagogue ; but, on the contrary, began
to gild the pill, and undertook to prove that this
mad project was no more than an agreeable frolic,
that could have no bad consequence. My mistress
was pleased with this construction ; for lovers are
charmed with flattery, even in their most cxtrava-

so

Gir BLAS.

gant faiitieg. VVe now, Iherefore, looked upon
this rash enterprise in no other light than that of
a comedv, the skih^ul representation of which it
was our business to concert. Having chosen our
actors from the servants of the family, the parts
were distributed, without the least quarrel or dis-
turbance ; because we were not players by profes-
sion. It was resolved that Dame Ortiz should act
the part of Aurora's aunt, under the name of
Donna Ximena de Guzman, attended by a valet
and waititig-woman ; and that Aurora, dressed
like a cavalier, should entertain me as valet de
chambre, together with one of her own maids in
the disguise of a page, to be always about her
person. The characters being thus regulated, we
returned to Madrid, where we understood Don
Lewis still was, but that it would not be long be-
fore he would set out for Salamanca ; upon which
we ordered the necessary dresses to be made with
all diligence ; and when they were finished, my
mistress caused them to be conveniently packed
up, until we should find a proper time and place
for putting them on. Then leaving the care of her
house to the steward, she set out in a coach drawn
by four mules, and took the road to the kingdom
of Leon, with all those of her servants who had
parts to act in her performance.

We had already crossed Old Castile, when the
axle-tree of the coach gave way, between Avila
and Viilafior, about three or four hundred paces

GIL BLAS.

331

from a cMslle, which \\c perceived at the foot of a
mountain. As uight approached, \vc were not a
little embarrassed, when a peasant, passing by acci-
dent, rid us of our an\iety, by telling us that the
castle, which we saw, belonged to Donna Elvira,
widow of Don Pedro de Pinarcs, a lady whose
character he extolled so much, that my mistress
sent me to the castle to beg a lodging for one night.
Elvira did not belie the counryman's report, but
received me with great affability^ and favoured
Aurora's com[)lifncnt with such an answer as she
desired. We repaired iinmcdiately to the castle,
whither our coach was dragged slowly by the
mules, and at the gate met Don Pedro's widow,
who came out to receive my mistress. I will pass
over in silence the civil things which were said on
both sides, on this occasion, and only observe, that
Elvira was a lady pretty much advanced in years,
but very polite, and understood how to perform
the duties of hospitality as well as any woman in
the world. She conducted Aurora into a sump-
tuous apartment, where, leaving her to repose a few
moments, she came and employed her attention on
the most minute things that concerned us. After-
wards, when supper was ready, she ordered the
cloth to be laid in Aurora's chamber, where they
sat down together at table. Don Pedro's widow
was not (me of those people who cloud tlie honour
of their entertainments with a pensive and discon-
tented air ; she was of a gay disposition, and sup-

332

eiL BLAS.

ported the conversation in an agreeable manner;
expressing herself with great dignity and elegance.
I admired her uiiderstanding^ and the delicate turn
of her thoughts, which seemed to charm Aurora
as well as me. They conceived a friendship for
one anotiier, and promised to maintain a corres-
pondence by letters. Our coach could not be re-
fitted till the following day, and as we should run
some risk by setting out late, it was determined
that we should stay at the castle another night.
We, in our turn, were served with a profusion of
victuals, and our beds were no less comfortable
than our meal.

Next day, my mistress found new charms in the
conversation of Elvira, with whom she dined in a
large hall adorned with several pictures, one of
which was remarkable for the beauty and wonder-
ful expression of the figures, though it represented
a very tragical scene to the view. A dead cavalier
appeared lying on his back, and drowned in his
own blood, but seemed still to retain a menacing
air even in death. Near him lay a young lady in
another attitude, stretched also upon the ground ;
a sword was seen plunged in her bosom, and she
breathed her last sighs, fixing her dying eyes upon
a young man, v/ho seemed mortally grieved at the
loss of her. The painter had likewise drawn an-
other figure, which did not escape my attention ^x
this was an old man of a good mien, who, strongly
affected with tiie objects that struck his view, dis-

CIL BLAS. 32S

covered as much sensibility as the youth. One
would have thought that each of them felt the
same pangs at sight of these doleful images, but
that each received the impression in a difierent
manner. The old man seemed overwhelmed with
the profound sorrow in which he was plunged :
but there was furv mixed with the affliction of the
youth. The painter had expressed the whole with
such strength, that we could scarce withdraw our
eyes from the performance. My mistress having
asked what storv the picture represented; " Madam
(said Elvira), it is a faithful representation of the
misfortunes of my family." This answer excited
the curiosity of Aurora, who expressed such an
eager inclination to know more, that Don Pedro's
widow could not dispense with promising her the
satisfaction she desired. This promise, which was
made before Ortiz, her two companions, and me^
detained us all four in the hall after dinner. My
mistress would have sent us away, but Elvira,
perceiving that we li)nged fervently to hear the
explanation of the picture, had the goodness to
bid us stay, saying that the story which she was
going to relate was none of those that required
secresy : and immediately began in these words.

334 GIL BLAS.

CHAP. IV.

TJie baleful marriage. A novel*,

Roger, king of Sicily, had a brother and a
sister : the first, called Mainfroy, revolted against
him, and lighted up a dangerous and bloody war
in the kingdom ; but had the misfortune to lose
two battles, and fall into the hands of the king,
who contented himself with punishing his rebellion'
by depriving him of his liberty. This clemency
served only to make Roger pass for a barbarian, in
the opinion of one part of his subjects, who said
he had only saved his brother's life, in order io
exercise upon him a slow and inhuman revenge.
But all the rest, with more foundation, imputed
the harsh treatment that Mainfroy suffered in pri-
son to his sister Matilda alone : for she had, in
effect, always hated the prince, and did not cease
persecuting him as long as he lived ; but she died
soon after him, and her death was looked upon as
a just punishment of her unnatural disposition.

Mainfroy having left two sons, as yet in their
infancy, Roger wished to get rid of them, fearing

* This novel is a true story, on whicli the late Mr. Thomson
has founded his tragedy of Tancred and Sigistnunda.

GIL BI.AS. SSA

that when they should arrive at a more advanced
age, the desire of revenging their father would
induce tl)em to revive a faction which was not so
much quelled, but that it might occasion new trou-
bles in the state. He imparted his design to the
senator Leontio Siffredi, his minister, who, to divert
him from putting it in execution, undertook the
education of prince Henriquez, the eldest, and
advised him to commit the youngest, who was
called Don Pedro, to the care of the constable of
Sicily. Roger, persuaded that his nephews would
be brought up by these men in that submission and
duty which they owed to him, left the princes to
their conduct, and took upon himself the care of
his niece Constantia, who was of the same age
with Henriquez, and only daughter of the princess
Matilda ; he furnished her with women and mas-
ters, and spared {lothing in her education.

Leontio Siffredi had a castle two short leagues
from Palermo, at a place called Belmont : and
there that minister employed himself in rendering
Henriquez worthy of mounting one day the throne
of Sicily. He soon observed in that prince such
amiable qualities, that he applied himself to the
cultivation of them as closely as if he had had no
children of his own. He was blessed, however,
with two daughters ; the eldest of whom, called
Blanch, younger by a year than the prince, was
adorned with the most perfect beauty; the other,
^ named Portia, whose birth occasioned her mother's

386 GIL BLAS.

deaths was still in the cradle. Blanch, and prince
Henriquez, as soon as they were capable of lovP;,
entertained a mutual passion ; though they had not
the liberty of conversing in private. The prince,
however, did not fail to find opportunities some-
times ; and knew so well how to profit by those
precious moments, that he engaged the daughter
of SifFredi to allow him to execute a project he
had formed. Just about this time it happened that
Leontio was obliged, by the king's orders, to make
a journey into one of the most remote provinces
of the island : and during his absence, Henriquez
caused an opening to be made in the wall of his
apartntent, that was contiguous to the chamber of
Blanch ; supplying it with a sliding partition of
wood, that opened and shut without being per-
ceived ; because it was so closely joined to the
ceiling, that the eye could not discover the arti-
fice. A skilful architect, whom the prince had
made his friend, performed the work with equal
diligence and sccresy.

Through this passage the amorous Henriquez
introduced himself sometimes into the chamber of
his mistress : but he did not abuse her favour : for
though she was imprudent enough to allow him a
private entrance into her apartment, she did not
condescend so far, until he had assured her, that
he w ould never ask any thing that innocence could
not grant. One night he found her very uneasy,
because she had heard that Roger was very ill, »

GIL BLAS. 3S7

and had sent for Siffredi, as high chancellor of the
kingdom, in order to entrust him with his last
will. She represented to herself already her dear
Henriquez on the throne, and being afraid of losing
hira in that high station, was under the utmost
anxiety ; and the tears stood in her eyes when he
appeared. " Heavens ! you weep, madam : what
roust I think of that sorrow with which I see you
over\^ helmed ?" '' Sir (replied Bhinch), I cannot
conceal my alarms: the king, your uncle, will
soon cease to live, and you will succeed him.
AThen I, therefore, foresee how far your new great-
ness will remove you from nie, I own I cannot be
unconcerned. A monarch seldom beholds things
with a lover's eye, and that which was his utmost
ambition while he was a subject, affects him but
slightly when he is on the throne. Whether it be
an unhappy presage, or reason only that inspires
me, 1 feel my soul agitated with emotions that all
my confidence in your goodness cannot assuage;
and though I dare not doubt your genert)sity, I
cannot help distrusting my own destiny." — " Ador-
able Blanch ! (replied the prince) your fears are
obliging, and justify my attachment to your charmg ;
but the excess of your doubts injures my love, and
(if I may be allowed to say so) the esteem which
you owe me. No ! think not that my destiny and
your's can ever be separated. Believe, rather, that
you will always be the object of my happiness and
joy. Lay aside your fear, therefore, and let it not
TOL. I. z

SSS GIL BLA9.

disturb such endearing moments." — " Ah, Sir 1
(answered the daughter of Leontio) as soon as
you are crowned, jour subjects^ perhaps, will de-
mand for your queen a princess descended from a
long race of kings, whose splendid nuptials may
add new realms to your's ; and, perhaps, alas! you
will answer their expectations, even at the expense
of your inclination." — " i\h ! why (replied Henri-
quez, with some warmth), why are you thus prone
to torment yourself, by raising such an afflicting
image of what will never happen ? should heaven
dispose of the king my uncle, and make me master
of Sicily, I swear that I will espouse you in Pa-
lermo, in presence of all my court, and I invoke
ail that is sacred to confirm my oath."

Siffredi's daughter was cheered by the protesta-
tions of Henriquez, and the rest of their conversa-
tion turned on the king's distemper : on which
occasion, Henriquez discovered the goodness of
his heart, in lamenting his uncle's fate, with which
he had no great reason to be affected ; the force of
blood making him regret a prince, by whose death
he should acquire a crown. Blanch, as yet, did
not know all the misfortunes that threatened her.
The constable of Sicily had niet her coming out of
her father's apartment, one day, when he was at
the castle of Belmont on some important affairs,
was captivated with her beauty, and next day
demanded her in marriage of Siffredi, who con-
sented to the match ; but Roger s distemper inter-

GIL BLAS. 339

vening, the nuptials were deferred, and Blanch
knew nothing of the matter.

One morning*, just as Henriquez had done dress-
ing, he was surprised to see Lcontio, followed by
Blanch, come into the apartment. '' Sir (said that
minister to him), the news I bring is afflicting but
the consolation with which they are attended
ought to moderate your grief. The king your
uncle is dead, after having left you heir to his
sceptre, and Sicily is subject to your sway. The
grandees of the realm, who attend your orders at
Palermo, have comijus-sioncd nie to receive them
from your mouth, and I am come, Sir, with my
daughter, the first of your new subjects, to offer
our early and sincere homage." The prince, who
knew very well that Roger had laboured two
months under a disease that gradually consumed
him, was not so much surprised at this piece of
news: nevertheless, struck with the sudden change
of his condition, he felt a thousand confused emo-
tions rise within his breast ; and having mused
some time, broke silence by addressing himself to
Leontio in these words: "Sage Siflfrcdi, I shall
always look upon you as my father, glory in regu-
lating my conduct by your counsel, and you shall
be as much a king in Sicily as I am." So saying,
he advanced to a table, on which there was a
standisb, and taking a sheet of paper, wrote his
name at the bottom of the page. " What are you
about to do. Sir ?" (said Siftredi to him.) *' I am

340 GIL BLAS.

going to manifest mj gratitude and esteem (answered
HenriqueZj presenting the sheet to Blanch, and
saying) Receive, Madam, this pledge of my faith,
and of the empire over my inclinations, which I
now yield to you." Blanch took it, blushing, and
made this answer to the prince : " I receive with
respect the favours of my king ; but I depend upon
a father : and I hope your majesty will not take it
ill, that I deposit this paper in his hands, to be
used as his prudence shall direct him."

She accordingly gave the subscription of Henri-
quez to her father, who then observed what, till
that moment, had escaped his penetration. He
discerned the prince's sentiments, and said to him^
" Your majesty shall have no cause to reproach
me, for I will not abuse the confidence." — *' My
dear Leontio (cried Henriquez, interrupting him),
don't imagine you can abuse it. Whatever use you
shall make of the paper, I will approve of yowr
determination. But, go (added he), return to Pa-
lermo, order the preparations to be made for my
coronation, and tell my subjects that I will follow
you immediately thither, in order to receive their
oaths of allegiance, and assure them of my affec-
tion." The minister obeyed his new master's or-
ders, and, with his daughter, set out for Palermo.

A few hours after their departure, the prince
took the same road, more engrossed by his love
than by the high rank to which he was raised. A
soon as he arrived in the city, he was saluted with

GIL BLAS.

341

innumerable sliouts of joy, and, amidst the accla-
mations of his people, entered the palace, where
every thing was already prepared for the ceremony,
and where he found the princess Constantia in deep
mourning, and, to all appearance, very much affect-
ed with Roger's death. As they owed one another
a mutual compliment of condolence on the event,
they both acquitted themselves very handsomely ;
but it was more cold on the side of Henriquez than
on that of Constantia ; who, in spite of the enmity
subsisting between their families, could not hate
the prince. He placed himself on the throne, and
the princess sat on his right hand, in an elbow chair
not quite so high. The grandees of the kingdom
took their places, each according to his rank : the
ceremony began, and Leontio, as high chancellor
of the state, and keeper of the late king's will,
opened and read it with an audible voice. This
deed contained in substance, that Roger, seeing
himself without issue, named the eldest son of
Mainfroy for his successor, on condition that he
should espouse the princess Constantia ; which if
he refused to perform, he should forfeit the crown
of Sicily to the infant Don Pedro, his brother, who
should enjoy it on the same terms.

Henriquez was confounded at these words ; the
restiiction gave him incredible pain, which became
still more violent, when Leontio, after having read
the will, pronounced to the whole assembly : '' My
lords, having reported the last intentions of the

342

GIL BLAS.

late king, to our new monarch, that generous prince
consents to honour his cousin the princess Constan-
tia with his hand." — At the?e words, Henriquez
interrupted the chancellor, saying-, •' Leontio, re-
member the writing which Blanch" — '' Sir {said
Siffredi with precipitation, before the prince had
time to explain himself), here it is. The grandees
of the realm (added he, j-hewing the paper to the
assembly) will here see by your majesty's august
signature, the esteem you have for the princess,
and the deference you pay to the last will of the
deceased king, your uncle." — -Having spoke these
words, he read the deed with which he himself had
tilled the paper, containing the most solenm engage-
ment to marry Constantia, conformable to the in-
tention of Roger. The hall rung with repeated
shouts of all present, who cried, " Lang live our
magnanimous king Henriquez !" For, as nobody
was ignorant of the aversion which that prince had
always manifested for the princess, it was feared,
not without reason, that he would revolt against
the condition of the will, and by these means raise
commotions in the kingdom. E:it the reading of
the paper entirely composed the minds of the
nobles and people, and excited those general ac-
clamations which in secret tortured the monarch's
soul.

Constantia, who, both on account of her own
glory, and her passion for Henriquez, enjoyed the
public satisfaction more than any body, chose this

GIL BLA8.

343

time to assure him of her gratitude. But the
prince, in vain endeavouring; to constrain himself,
received her compliment with great affliction, and
was, indeed, in such disorder, that he could not
even perform what decency required. At last,
yielding to the violence of his passion, he ap-
proached Siffredi, whom the duty of his office
obliged to be pretty near his person, and^ with a
low voice, said, " ^\ hat have you done, Leontio ?
The subscription, which I put into your daughter's
hands, was not intended for this use. You have
betrayed"—"' Sir (said Siflfredi, interrupting hira
in a resolute tone), consider your own glory ! If
you refuse to follow the will of the king your uncle,
you lose the crosNu of Sicily." He had no sooner
spoke in this manner, than he removed at a gteater
distance from the king, that he might not have an
opportunity to reply Henriquez remained in the
utmost perplexity, and felt himself agitated by con-
trary emotions. He was incensed against Siffredi,
— he could not resolve to abandon Blanch ; but,
distracted between her and the interest of his glory,
it was some time before he could come to any reso-
lution. However, he was determined at last, and
thought he had fallen upon a method to preserve
the daughter of Siffredi, without renoimcing the
throne. He feigned submission to the will of
Roger, and purposed, while a dispensation for his
marriage with his cousin should be soliciting at
Rome, to gain the nobles of the realm by his

M

GiL BLAS.

bounty, and establish his power so well, that he
should not be obliged to fulfil its conditions.

As soon as he had formed this design, he became
more tranquil, and turning to Constantia, confirmed
to her what the high chancellor had read before the
whole assembly. But in the very moment, when
he betrayed himself so far as to plight his troth to
her, Blanch arrived in the council-hall. She came
thither by her father's command, to pay her re-
spects to the princess, and her ears were struck
with the words of Henriquez, at her first entrance.
Besides, Leontio, being desirous that she should
have no cause to doubt of her misfortune, said,
while he presented her to Constantia, " Daughter,
do homage to your queen, and wish her all the
sweefs of a flourishing reign and happy marriage."
This terrible stroke overwhelmed the unfortunate
Blanch : in vain she endeavoured to conceal her
grief; she blushed and grew pale alternately, and
shook through every lin)b. Nevertheless, the prin-
cess had not the least suspicion of the cause, but
attributed the disorder in which she paid her com-
pliment to the perplexity of a young creature bred
up in solitude, and altogether unaccustomed to the
court. It was quite otherwise with the young king:
the sight of Blanch abashed him ; and the despair
he observed in her eyes transported him quite be-
side himself. He did not doubt that, judging by
appearances, she believed him unfaithful. He would
have been less uneasy could he have spoke to her ;

GIL BLAS. 345

but how could he find an opporiunitVj when all
Sicily, as one may say, had its eyes upon him.
Besides, the cruel Siffredi deprived him of that
hope : for reading the thoughts of these two lovers
in their looks, and willing to prevent the mischief
which the violence of their passion might create in
the state, that minister, in an artful manner, carried
his daughter out of the assembly, and set out with
faer, on his return to Belmont ; resolved, for more
reasons than one, to have her married as soon as
possible.

They were no sooner arrived, than he made her
acquainted with all the horror of her fate, by de-
claring that he had promised her in marriage to
the constable. ''Just heaven! (cried she, in a
transport of grief, which her father's presence
could not suppress), for what direful punishment
is the unfortunate Biancli reserved." Her despair
was even so violent as to suspend all the faculties
of her soul. She was seized with an universal
chillness, and becoming clay-cold and wan,
swooned away in the arms of her father. He
was affected with her condition ; but, though he
shared her affliction with all the tenderness of a
parent, his first resolution still remained unshaken.
Blanch, at length, recovered her spirits, more
through the exquisite sensation of her grief than
through the water which Siff'redi sprinkled on her
face; which perceiving, while she opened her
languishing eyes, *' Sir (said she, with a feeble

346 GIL BLAS.

voice), I am ashamed that jou have seen my weak-
ness; but death, wliich must soon end my tor-
ments, will, in a little time, rid you of an unhappy
daughter, who has dared to dispose of her heart
without your consent!" — '' No, my dear Blanch
(replied Leontio), live, and let virtue resume its
empire in your breast. Tlic constable's passion
does you honour ; it is the most considerable
match in the kingdom."—''' I esteem his person
and Iiis merit (said Blanch, interrupting him), but.
Sir, tlie king had made me h(tpe." — " Daughter
(said SitTredi, cutting her short in his turn)^ I know
all that you can say on that subject. I am not
ignorant of your tenderness for the prince, which,
at another conjuncture, I should not disapprove.
YoiT should even see rac eager to ensure you of
the hand of Henriquez, if the interest of his glory,
and th.it of the stale, did not oblige him to bestow
it on Coiisiantia. It is on that condition only that
the late king designed him for his successor; and
would you have him prefer you to the crown of
Sicily? Believe me, I sympathise with you in the
cruel stroke you suffer; but since we cannot with-
stand the decrees of destiny, make one generous
effort. Your glory is concerned in concealing
from the kingdom the vain hope with which you
pattered yourself. Your sensibility for the king
may raise reports to your disadvantage : and the
pnly nieaps of preventing them will be to marry
ihe constable. In short, Blanch, this is no time

GIL ELAS. 347

to deliberate. The king yields you for a throne,
and marries Coiistantia. The constable has my
promise, whith 1 hcg you will perform ; and if i
must use mv authority to bring you to this resolu-
tion, 1 order you to comply."

So savingv, he left her to reflect upon what she
had heaiti, hoping, that after having maturely
considered the arguments he had used to support
her virtue against her inclination, she would re-
solve, of herself, to give her hand to the constable.
In this he was not mistaken. But what pangs
did it cost the melancholy Blanch before she came
to that determination ! She was in a condition
which, of all others, was most worthy of compas-
sion ! Grief for seeing her presages of the infi-
delity of Henriquez changed into certainty, and
for being constrained, in losing him, to give her-
self away to another, whom she could not love,
created in her such violent transports of affliction,
that every moment was attended with new torture.
" If my misfortune is certain (cried she), how can
I resist it without dying? Cruel destiny! why was
I fed with the most delicious hope, when 1 was
doomed to such an abyss of misery ! and thou,
perfidious lover ! how durst thou betroth thyself to
another after thou hadst promised eternal fidelity
to me ? hast thou so soon forgot the faith which
thou hast sworn? As a punishment for having so
cruelly deceived me, may heaven make the nuptial
bed, which thou art going to stain with perjurv

348 GILJfeLAS.

not a scene of pleasure, but remorse ! may the
caresses of Constantia convey poison to thy un-
faithful heart ! and may thy marriage be as baleful
as mine ! Yes, traitor, I will espouse the constable,
whom I cannot love, to revenge me upon myself,
and punish me for having so indiscreetly chosen
the object of my love. Since my religion forbids
me to make an attempt upon my life, the days I
have to live shall be nothing else than an unhappy
series of trouble and disquiet. If thou still pre-
servest any tenderness for me, thou wilt be morti-
fied at seeing me throw myself into the arms of
soother; and, if thou hast entirely forgot me,
Sicily, at least, may boast of having produced a
\ioman who punished herself for having too simply
disposed of her heart."

In such a situation did this unhappy victim of
love and duty pass the night that preceded her
marriage with the constable; and SifTredi finding
her next day ready to comply with his desire, made
haste to take the advantage of that favourable dis-
positicin. He sent for the constable to Belmont
that same day, and married him privately to his
daughter in the chapel of the castle. It was not
enough to renounce a crown, to lose for ever a
person whom she loved, and bestow herself upon
the object of her hatred, but she was also obliged
to dissensble her sentiments before a husband who
was inflamed with the most ardent passion for her,
cind naturally of a jealous disposition. That spouse^

GIL BLAS.

349

charmed with the possession of what he held most
dear, was continually in her company, and did not
even allow her the sad consolation of bewailing
her misfortune in secret. When night approached,
the daughter of Leontio felt her affliction re-
double : but what were her pangs, when her
women, after having undressed, left her alone with
the constable! He asked, in a respectful manner,
the cause of that sorrow w ith which she seemed to
be depressed ; and Blanch, perplexed by the ques-
tion, feigned herself indisposed. This deceived
her husband at first, but he did not long continue
in his mistake ; for, as he was really concerned at
the condition in which he saw her, and pressed her
to s:o to bed, his entreaties, which she misinter-
preted, presented such a cruel image to her imagi-
nation, that, being unable to contain herself any
longer, she gave free vent to her sighs and tears.
What a sight was this for a man who believed
himself at the very summit of his happiness! He
no longer doubted that the affliction of his wife
portended something sinister to his love. Never-
theless, though the knowledge of it threw him into
a situation almost as deplorable as that of Blanch,
he had such command of himself, that he concealed
his suspicions. He redoubled his entreaties, and
continued to press his spouse to go to rest, assur-
ing her, that lie would not interrupt the repose
which she seemed so much to want. He even
ofl'ered to call her women, if she thought that their

S50 GIL BLAS.

as&istaoce could alleviate her indisposition. Blanch,
encouraged by this promise, told him, that her
present weaksiess only required a little sleep. He
pretended to believe her, and going to bed toge-
ther, they passed a night very different from those
which Cupid and Hymen bestow on two lovers
inspired by mutual passion.

While Siffredi's daughter indulged her sorrow.
the constable endeavoured within himself to divine
the cause that rendered his marriage so unhappy.
He concluded, that there was a rival in the case ;
but was bewildered in his own imagination when
be attempted to discover who that rival was ; and
the sole result of his conjectures was, that he was
the most unhappy of all mankind. He had already
spent two-thirds of the night in these agitations
when his ears were struck with a hollow noise ; and
he was not a little surprised to hear somebody
walking softly in tlie chamber. He believed him-
self mistaken ; for he remembered that he himself
had locked the door after Blanch's women had
gone, and drew bi'.ck the curtain to discover by the
evidence of his eyes the cause of the noise which
he heard : but the light which had been left in the
chimney was extinguished, and, in a little time, he
heard the name of Blanch repeated several times
in a soft and languishing tone. Then his jealous
suspicions were inflamed to fury, and his honour
alarmed, obliging him to rise, in order to prevent
an affront or take vengeance for it ; he seized his

GIL BLA8. 351

sword, and moved towards that side whence the
voice seemed to come. Feeling a naked sword
opposed to liis own, he advanced, the other rc'ired,
he pursued, and the other vanished from his pur-
suit. In vain did he search for hini, who sr- aied
to fly, through all the corners of the rcoin, as much
as the darkness would allow; he could not find
liim ; he stopped, listened, and heard nothing.
All seemed to be enchantment; he went to the
door which lie imagined had favoured the flight
of the secret enemy of his honour, but he found it
fast locked as before. Not being able to compre-
hend any thing of this adventure, he called those
of his people who were nearest, and as he opened
the door for that purpose stood in the passage, and
kept himself on liis guard, that the person whom
he sought might not escape.

Some servants, hearing his repeated cries, came
running with lights : upon which he took a candle,
and made a new search in the chamber, sword in
hand ; but found nobody, nor the least mark of any
person's having been there. He did not even per-
ceive the private door, nor the opening through
which there was a passage. Me could not, how-
ever, blindfold himself with regard to the circum-
stances of his misfortune, but remained in a
strange confusion of thoughts. Should he have
recourse to Blanch ? she was too much concerned
in the truth for him to expect an explanation from
her. He therefore resolved to go and open his

352

GIL BLAS.

heart to Leontio, after having dismissed his ser-
vants, telling them that he thought he had heard
a noise in his chamber, but was mistaken. He
met his father-in-law coming out of his apartment
at the disturbance he had heard, and recounted to
him what had happened, with all the marks of
extreme agitation and profound grief.

Siffredi was surprised at the adventure, which,
though it did not seem natural, he nevertheless
believed; and thinking that the king's love was
capable of any thing, was very much afflicted with
that consideration. But, far from flattering the
jealous suspicions of his son-in-law, he represented
to him, with an air of assurance, that the voice
which he thought he heard, and the sword that
was opposed to his, could be no other than phan-
toms of an imagination misled by jealousy; for
it was inipossible that any body could have got into
his daughter's chamber; that, with regard to the
melancholy which he had observed in his wife, it
might be occasioned by some indisposition ; that
honour ought not to be answerable for the vicissi-
tudes of temper ; that the change of condition in a
girl used to live in solitude, who sees herself on a
sudden delivered to a man whom she had not had
time to know and to love, might be the cause of
those tears, sighs, and that sharp affliction of
which he complained ; that love was not to be
kindled in maidens of a noble birth by any other
lueans than time and assiduity ; for which reasons

GIL BLAS. JOo

be exhorted him io cahii his disquiet, redouble his
tenderness and care, in order to dip»fise Blanch to
become more sensible of his merit: and entreated
him to return to his chamber, being persuaded
that his uneasiness and distrust were injuries done
to the virtue of his wifi'.

The constable made no answer to ihe remon-
strances of his father-in-law ; whether he really
began to think that he might have been imposed
upon by the disorder of his mind, or judged it a
wiser course to dissemble than to undertake, in
vain, to convince the old man of an event so void
of all j)robability. He returned to his apartment,
lay dov>n by his wife, and tried io obtain, by sleep,
some respite iVom his disquiet. Blanch, on her
side, was not less uneasy than he : she had but too
well heard that which alarmed her husband, and
could not consider as an illusion an adventure, the
secret and motives of which she knew. — Surprised
that Henriquez should seek to introduce himself
into her apartment, after having so sJemnly
pledged his faith to Constantia, instead of ap{)rov-
ing or f< eling the least glimpse of joy at this step,
she looked upon it as a new outrage, and her heart
was incensed against him.

Whilst the daughter of Siffredi, prejudiced
against the young kinir, believed him the most un-
faithful of men, that unhappy prince, more in love
than ever, wished for an interview with ]>lanch, in
order to encourage her against the appearances that

VOL. I. \ A

o'54 GIL BLAS.

condemned him. He would have come sooner to
Belmont for that purpose had he been permitted
by the multiplicity of business in which he was ne-
cessarily engaged ; but he could not steal away
from court before that night. He was too well
acquainted with all the private corners of a place
where he had been educated to be under any diffi-
culty of getting; unseen into Siffredi's castle ; and
he still kept the key of a private door that belonged
to the garden, through which he got into his old
apartment, from whence he passed into the cham-
ber of Blanch. — You may imagine the astonish-
ment of that prince when he found a man there,
and felt a sword opposed to his own. He had
well nigh discovered himself, and punished on
the spot the audacious wretch who durst lift his
sacrilegious hand against his lawful king ; but the
respect he owed to Leontio's daughter suspended
his resentment. He retired in the same manner as
he had entered, and, more afflicted than ever, took
the road to Palermo ; where, arriving some mo-
ments before day, he shut himself up in his apart-
ment. But the agitation of his spirits depriving
him of rest, he resolved to return to Belmcat ; hig
safety, honour, and, above all, his love, not per-
mitting him to remain longer ignorant of the least
circumstance of such a cruel adventure.

11 was no sooner day than he commanded his
hunting-equipage to be got ready, and, under pre-
tence of taking that diversion, rode far into the

GIL BLAS.

355

forest of Belmont, attended by his sportsmen and
some courtiers. He followed the chase some time,
the better to conceal his design ; and, when he
saw every one eagerly engaged at the heels of the
hounds, he separated himself from tliem, and, all
alone, took his way to Leontio's castle. He was
too well acquainted with the paths of the forest to
lose himself, and his impatience not permitting him
to spare his horse, he in a little time overrun the
distance which separated him from the object of his
love. He was just inventing some plausible pretext
to procure for himself a private interview with the
daughter of SiftVedi, when, crossing a small road
that led by one of the park-gates, he perceived
hard by two women sitting in close conversation at
the root of a tree. As he did not doubt tiiat these
people belonged to the castle, the sight of them
raised within him some emotion : but he was much
more transported when, the women turning to-
wards him at the noise of his horse's feet, he knew
one of them to be his dear Blanch, who had escaped
from the castle with Nisa, one of her women, who
enjoyed tlie greatest share of her confidence, to
bewail her misfortune at full liberty.

He flew — he threw himself headlong (if I may
use the expression) at her feet; and perceiving in
her eyes all the marks of the most profound afflic-
tion, was melted at the sight. " Fair Blanch (said
he), suspend the emotions of your grief; appear-
ances, I confess, represent me guilty in your eyes :

356

GIL BLAS.

but whenjou arc made acquainted with the design
which I have formed in jcur behalf, that which you
now look upon as a crime will appear to jou a
proof of mj innocence and excess of love." These
words, which Henriquez thought capable of mo-
derating, served only to redouble the affliction of
Blanch, who would have answered him, had not
her voice been choaked up with her sighs. The
prince, astonished at her disorder, said, " How,
madam, can't I then calm your disquiet ? By \^hat
inisfortune have I lost your confidence? I, who
hazard my crown, and even my life to keep myself
yours!" "Twas then that the daughter of SiftVedi,
making an effort to explain herself, replied, '' Sir,
your promises are now unseasonable. Nothing,
henceforth,- can bind my destiny toyour's." — " Ah,
Blanch ! (said Henriquez, interrupting her wiiii
warmth) \Ahat cruel words are these I hear ! WIn)
dares ravish you iVom my love ? ^\ ho dares eppose
the fury of a king, who would put all Sicily in
llames rather than suffer you io be torn from his
hopes?" — " All }our power. Sir, (answered Sif-
fredi's daughter, in a languishing manner), cannot
remove the obstacles by which we are separated. I
am the constable's wife." — The constable's wife !"
(cried the prince, staggering backwards, and un-
able to go on). He was confounded and over-
whelmed by this unexpected blow : his strength
forsook him, and lie dropped down at the root of a
tree that grew behind him. Pale, trembling, and

GIL BLAS. 357

depressed, lie had nothing free but his eyes, which
he fixed upon Bhinch in such a manner as gave
]jer to Ui^derstand how deeply affected he was with
the uniiappy tidings she had dechired. She, on the
other hand, looked upon him with an air which con-
vinced him that her emotions were little different
from those he felt ; and these two unfortunate
lovers preserved between them, a silence that had
something terrible in it. At length the prince
recollecting hiniself a little, by an effort of his
courage, resumed the discourse, and said to Blanch,
with a sigh, " \Vhat have you done, madam? your
cruelty has ruined me, and undone yourself."

Blanch, piqued at the prince's seeming to up-
braid her, when she thought she had much more
cause to complain of him, replied, " ^Vhat, Sir ! do
you add dissimulation to infidelity? Would you
have me discredit my own eyes and ears, and be-
lieve ynu innocent, in spite of the evidence of my
senses ? No, Sir, I own myself incapable of such
an efifort of reason." — " Nevertheless, Madam (an-
swered the king), you are imposed upon by these
very witnesses which seemed so faithful ; even they
have assisted in betraying you ; and that I am in-
nocent and faithful, is no less true than that you
are the constable's wife " — " How, Sir ! (said she)
did I not hear you confirm to Constantia the pre-
sent of your hand and heart ? Have you not assured
the nobles of the kingdom that you would fulfil
the conditions of the late king's will ? and has not

35S GIL BLAS.

the princess received the homage of your new sub-
jects in quality of queen and spouse of Henriquez ?
Were my eyes then bewitched ? Say, say rather,
unfaithful prince ! that you did not think Blanch
ought to balance in your heart the interest of a
throne, and without stooping to feign a passion
that you no longer feel, and perhaps never felt,
confess that the crown of Sicily appeared to you
more fixed with Constantia than with Leontio's
daughter. — You are in the right. Sir ; a shining
throne was no more my due than the heart of a
prince such as you are. I was too vain t(> pretend
to either ; but you ought not to have indulged me
in my error, — You know the alarms I felt on ac-
count of losing you ; a misfortune that then seemed
to me almost inevitable. Why did you encourage
me with hope ? Would to heavens my fears had not
been dissipated ! I should have accused fortune,
not you ; and you would have, at least, preserved
my heart, though at the expense of a hand which
no other should ever have obtained. It is now no
time to justify yourself : I am the constable's wife;
and that I may spare myself the consequence of a
conversation that makes my glory blush, give me
leave. Sir, without failing in that respect that I
owe to you, to quit the presence of a prince whom
I am no longer at liberty to hear."

So saying, she left Henriquez with as much
haste as her present weak condition would allow.
*' Stop, madam ! (cried he), and do not drive to

GIL BLAS.

359

despair a prince, who will rather overturn that
throne, which you upbraid him with having: pre-
ferred to }0U, tlian fulfil the expectations of his
new sulyects."— '' That sarrifice (said Blanch), is
at present vain. ^^ hile 1 am married to the con-
stable these generous transports will not avail :
since I am (hen no longer at liberty, it is of small
importance to mc that you reduce Sicily to ashes,
or to whom you give your hand. If I have been
weak enough to let my heart be surprised, I shall,
at least, have fortitude enough to stifle its emotions^
and let the new king of Sicily see that the constable's
wife is no longer llie lover of prince Honriqucz."
AVhen she pronounced these words, being close to
the park gate, she entered it of a sudden with Nisa,
and, locking it on the other side, left the prince
overwhelmed with sorrow. He could not recover
the blow w hich Blanch had given him by the ac-
count of her marriage. '' Unjust Blanch ! (cried
he) you have lost all remembrance of our mutual
engagement ! In spite of our reciprocal vows, wc
are for ever parted ; and the idea which I had
cherished of possessing your charms was no more
than a vain illusion. Ah, cruel maid ! how dearly
did I buy your approbation of my flame!"

Then the image of liis rival's happiness presented
itself to his fancy with all the horrorr, of jealousy;
which took such full possession of his soul for
some moments, that he was on the point of sacri-
ficing the constable, and even Sifl'rcdi himself, to

360

GIL BLAS.

his resentment. Reason^ howevet\, hy degrees al-
layed the violence of his trai?sports : but the impos-
sibility he perceived of banishing from Blunch the
impressions she retained of his inBdeliiy threw him
agaiii info despair. He flattered himself with the
liopesof t fiucing them, provided he could converse
with her at liberty; for Vihich purpose^ judging it
necessary to remove the constable, he resolved to
have him apprehended as a person suspected of
designs against tlic sUUe, He accordingly charged
with this ofHcc the captain of liis guards, who re-
pairing to Belmont, secured his person in the twi-
light, and brought him prisoner to the castle of
Palermo.

This incident filled all Belmont with consterna-
tion. SiflVedi set out immediately to offer himself
to the king as security for his son-in-law, and to
represent the troublesome consequences of such an
arrest. The prince, who expected this step of his
minister, and who was resolved, at all events, to
obtain a free intervievi^ wiiii Blanch before the con-
stable should be released, had expressly ordered
that no person whatever should !=;:eak with him
till next day. But Leontio, notwiilsstanding this
order, finding means to get access to the king's
chaniber, prescjitcd himself betose him, saying,
" Sir, if a loyal and respectful subject may be al-
lowed to complain of his master, I am come to
complain of you to yourself. What crime has my
son-in-law committed ? Has your majesty duly re-

GIL BLA5. 361

fleeted on the eternal reproach you have fixed upon
my family ; and on the consequences of an im-
prisonrnont, \>hich may alienate from vour service
the hearts of those who fill the most important
posts of the realm ?" — " I have certain intelligence
(replied the king), that the constable carries on
a criminal correspondence with the Infant Don
Pedro." — '• Criminal correspondence! (cried Le-
ontio, wilh surprise) ; do not believe it. Your
majesty is imposed upon : treason never entered
the family of Siftredi ; and the constable's being
my son-in-law is enough to screen him from all
suspicion. — The constable is innocent; but other
secret views have induced you to arrest hin)."

" Since you talk to me so freely (replied tlie
king), I will speak to you in the same manner. —
You complain of the constable's being imprisoned :
what ! have I not more cause to complain of your
crujlty ? 'Tis you, barbarous SitlVedi ! who have
robbed me of njy quiet, and reduced \\\e, by your
officious cares, to a condition that makes me envy
the lowest of mankind. But don't flatter yourself
that 1 will enter into your schemes — my marriage
with Constantia is resolved upon in vain."—'' How,
Sir ! (cried Lcontio, trembling) can you refuse to
marry tiic princess after having flattered her with
that hope before your whole people ?" — '' If I de-
ceive their expectations (replied the king), ascribe
it solely to yourself A\ hy did you lay me under
a necessity of promisinjr that which I could not

362

GIL BLAS.

perform ? Who compelled you to fill a paper
which I gave your daughter, with the name of CJon-
staiitia ? You was not ignorant of my intention. —
You tyrannised over the heart of Blanch, in mak-
ing her marry a man whom she did not love. But
what right had you to dispose of mine in favour of
a princess whom I hate ? Have you forgot that she
is the daughter of that cruel Matilda, who, tram-
pling under her feet all the ties of blood and hu-
manity, made my father breathe his last under all
tiic rigours of captivity ? and shall I espouse her ?
No, SifiTcdi ! lay aside tliat hope. — Before you see
the torch of these direful nuptials lighted, you will
see all Sicily in flames, and its ashes quenched in
blood.."

** What do I hear ! (cried Leontio). Ah, Sir !
what a prospect have you shewn me ! What terri-
ble threats ! — But I am unseasonably alarmed
(added he in another tone) ; you love your subjects
too well to entail upon them such misery. You
will not allow yourself to be overcome by love. —
You will not tarnish your virtues with the weak-
nesses of ordinary men. If I have bestowed my
daughter on the constable, it was done. Sir, with a
view of acquiring for your majesty a valiant sub-
ject, who can support, with his arm and the troops
which are at his disposal, your interest against that
of the prince Don Pedro. I thought that in attach-
ing him to my family by such intimate ties "

'' Ah ! these are the ties (cried the prince Henri-

GIL BLAS.

36^

quez), these are the fatal ties that have undone me !
Cruel friend ! why did you inflict sucli a heavy
stroke upon me ? Did I order you (o inanatie my
concerns at the expense of my heart ? Why did you
not leave me to support my rights by myself? Did
I want courao^e to reduce those who should rebel
against me ? I should have known how to punish
the constable had he disobeyed me. I know that
kings ought not to be tyrants, and that the happi-
ness of their people should be their chief aim ; but
must they therefore be the slaves of their subjects,
and, from the moment that heaven chooses them
to govern, lose Uie right that nature grants to all
men of disposing of their affections as they please ?
Ah 1 if they must not enjoy the privilege of the
lowest class of mortals, take back, Siffredi, that
sovereign power which you would confirm at the
expense of my repose."

" You know very well. Sir (replied the minister),
that your marriage with the princess was, by the
late king, made the condition of your succession to
the crown." — *' And what right (answered Henri-
quez) had he to establish that condition ? Had he
received such an unworthy law when he succeeded
to his brother King Charles ? And how came you
to be so weak as to submit to the unjust condition ?
For an high chancellor, methinks, you are very ill-
informed of our customs. In a word, though I
have promised ray hand to Constantia, it was not a
voluntary engagement ; therefore I do not intend

36^

Gir, TILAS.

to keep my word : and if Don Pcdro^ tmvn my re-
fusal, coiiceives the hope of rnountizig my throne
without engaging- the people in a quarrel, which
might tost too nmch Wood, let l!;e sword decide,
in single combal, which of us is most worth^y to
reign/' Leontio, not daring to urge him any far-
ther, coLtciited hir:]ic]f with asking, ou his knees,
the enlargement of his son-in-law, which he ob-
tai;jed. " Go (said the king to hinri), return to
Belmont, whither tlie constable will boon follow
you." The minister went awaj, and got back to
Brl.nont, persuaded that his son-in-law would not
be long behind him. But in ('his he was mis-
taken : ilenriquez resolved to see Blanch that
night, and therefore deferred the release of her
husbaiid till next day.

Mean wliile the constable was tortured with the
most cruel reflections : his imprisoninent had opened
his eyes with regard to the true cause of his mis-
Ibrtune : he, therefore, abandoned hiinself entirely
to his jealousy ; and renouncing the allegiance he
had hitherto so commendably preserved, breathed
nothing but ve.igeance. As he concluded that
the king would not lail of being with Blanch that
night, ill order to surprise them together, he begged
the governor of the castle of Palermo to let him go
out, assuring him that he would return to prison
next morning before day. The governor who was
entirely devoted to him, consented to this the more
easily, as he knew that SifiVedi had already obtained

GIL BLA?. 365

his liberty, and even furnisliod liini with a horse to
carry him to Belmont ; \\here the constable being
arrived, he tied his horse to a tree, entered the
park by a little door, of which he had the key, and
Mas so lucky as to g;et into the castle unperceived.
He went straight to the aparttneiit of iiis wife,
and concealing himself in an anti-chamL?r behind a
screen, which he found there, proposed to observe
from thence all that should pass, and to appear
suddenly in Blanch's chamber, at the least noise he
should hear. — ^^ hile 1 e was in this situation, he
saw Nisa come out from her mistress, and retire to
the closet where she lay.

Siflredi's daughter, who had easily discerned the
motive of her husband's imprisonment, concluded
that he would i5ot return that night to Belmont,
although her father had told her the king assured
him the constable would set out soon after him.
She did not doubt that Henriquez would take the
advantagC'Of that conjuncture to visit and converse
with her at liberty ; and in this opinion she waited
focthe prince^ in order to reproach him with an
action which might have terrible cor.scquences, in
regard to her. — Arcordingly, in a little time after
Nisa had withdrawn, the partition opened, and the
king came and threw hin.self at Blanch's feet, say-
ing, " Madarn, do not condemn before you have
given me the hearing: if I have ordered the con-
stable to be in)prisoried, consider that it was the
only means I had left to justify myself; therefore

366 GIL BLAS.

impute that artifice to yourself alone. Why did
you this morning refuse to hear me ? Alas ! to«
morrow your husband will be enlarged, and I shall
never have an opportunity of speaking to you again.
Hear me, then, for this last time : if the loss of you
makes me the most forlorn of mankind, at least
grant me the melancholy consolation of convincing
you, that my infidelity is not the cause of my mis-
fortune ; for though I confirmed to Constantia the
offer of my hand, it was what I could not dispense
with doing, in the situation to which your father
had reduced me. — There was a necessity for my
deceiving the princess, for your intrest as well as
my own, in order to secure to you the crown as
well as the person of your lover. This I flattered
myself witli accomplishing; and had already taken
measures to break that fatal engagement; but you
have destroyed my plan, and by giving yourself
away too inconsiderately, laid up a fund of eternal
sorrow for two hearts, which might have been ren-
dered happy by the most inviolable love !"

He ended (his complaint with such visible marks
of real despair, that Blanch was touched with his
condition, and no longer doubted liis innocence,
which at first gave her some joy ; but afterwards,
stung with the consideration of her misfortune,
" Ah, Sir ! (said she to the prince) after the cruel
determination of our fate, you increase my afflictioa
by letting nie know thatyou were notguilty ! What
have 1 done ! unfortunate that I am ? My resentment

4

GIL BLAS. 367

lias betrayed me ! I thought rajself abandoned^
and in revenge accepted of the constable's hand,
which was presented by my father ! I am guilty of
the crime, and have been the cause of our mutual
mishap ! Alas ! while I accused you of having
deceived me, it was 1, too credulous lover ! it was
I who broke those bonds which I had sworn to keep
for ever inviolate ! Revenge yourself. Sir, in your
turn — Hate the ungrateful Blanch — forget her." —
'' Ahj Madam ! (said Henriquez, interrupting her
with a melancholy air), how shall I find means to
tear from my heart a passion, which even vour in-
justice cannot extinguish." — " You must, how-
ever. Sir, make that clFort;" (replied Siflredi's
daughter, sighing). " What ! are you capable of
that effort yourself?" (said the king). " I cannot
promise to succeed (answered she); but I will spare
no pains in the endeavour." — " Ah, cruel Blanch •
(said the prince), you will easily forget Henriquez,
since you are able to form such a design !" — ''And
what can you expect ? (replied she, in a more reso-
lute tone). Do you flatter yourself, that I will
allow you to continue your addresses ? No, Sir !
abandon that hope. Though I was not born to be
a queen, heaven never formed me to listen to dis-
honourable love. My husband, as well as you. Sir,
is descended from the noble house of Anjou ; and
if my duty did not raise an insurmountable obstacle
to your gallantry, my glory would hinder me from
enduring it : I conjure yon, therefore, to retire.

368 GIL BLA?.

We must see one another no more." — " Heavens !
what barbarity ! (replied the king:). Ah, Blanch^ is
it possible that you should treat nie with such
rigour? You do not think then, that your being
in the amis of the constable is enough to over-
whelm me ! you must also forbid me your sight,
the only consolation I had left!" — " Fly me, rather
(answered the daughter of Siftredi, shedding some
tears), the sight of what one tenderly loves ceases
to be pleasing, when <hc hope of possessing it is
lost. Adieu, Sir! fly from me. You owe that effort
to your own glory and my reputation. I ask it,
also, for my quiet : for, in short, although my
virtue should not be alarmed by the emotions of
my heart, (he remembrance of your tenderness will
entail upon me such cruel conflicts, that I shall
scarce have strength enough to maintain them."

She pronounced these words so passionately, that
she unwittingly overturned a candlestick which
stood on a table behind her: and the candle going
out in falling, she look it up in order to light it
again, for which purpose she opened the door of
the anti-chamber, and went to the closet of Nisa,
who was not yet gone to bed. The king, who
waited for her return, no sooner saw her approach
with the light, than he made pressing instances to
her, that she would suffer his attachment. The
constable, hearing the prince's voice, rushed into
the chamber sword in hand, almoirt at the san)e
time that his wife entered, and advancing towards

r.lL BLAS. 3{)9

Henriqucz with all the resentment that his rage
inspired;, " This is too much, tyrant ! (cried he)
doii't think that 1 am so base as to endure the
affront thou hast done my honour." — " Traitor !
(replied the kinp;, putting himself in a posture of
defence) don't imagine that thou art able to execute
thy designs with impunity." With these words
they bes^an a combat, which was too furious to last
long : the constable, fearing that SilTrcdi and his
servants, alarmed at the cries of Blanch, would
soon come and oppose his vengeance, fought.with-
out caution. His rage divested him of all judg-
ment ; he took his measures so ill that he ran upon
his adversary's sword, which entered his body to
the hilt, and the moment he fell the king checked
his indignation.

Leontio's daughter, touched with the condition
in which she saw her husband, and surmounting
the natural reluctance she had for him, threw her-
self on the floor, and supported him with the most
eager concern. But that unhappy spouse was too
much prepossessed against her, to be affected with
these expressions of her grief and compassion.
Death, whose approaches he felt, could not sup-
press the transports of his jealousy ; he saw nothing
iu his last moments but the happiness of his rival,
and the idea appeared so horrid, that, collecting
all the strength he had left, he lilted the sword
which was still in his hand, and plunged it in the
breast of Blanch. " Die! (said h^^, while he stabbed

VOL. 1. B B

570 GIL BLAS.

her) die, unfaithful woraan, since the ties of mar-*
riage have been too weak to preserve that faith
which you swore to me at the altar ! And thou,
Henriquez (added he), boast not of thy fate. Thou
canst not enjoy my misfortune, and therefore I die
satisfied." Having spoke thus he expired, and his
countenance, covered as it was with the shades of
death, still retained something fierce and terrible.
That of Blanch presented quite a different spec-
tacle. The blow she received was mortal; she fell
upon the body of her dying spouse, and the blood
of this innocent victim was mixed with that of her
murderer, who had executed his cruel resolution
80 suddenly, that the king had not time to prevent
its effects.

The unfortunate prince, seeing Blanch fall,
uttered a loud cry, and more confounded than she
with the blow.that robbed her of life, hastened to
give her the same succour that she had offered to the
constable. But she said, with a faltering voice,
" Sir, you may spare yourself the trouble. I am
the victim which unpitying fate demands ; may it
appease the wrath of heaven, and secure the hap-
piness of your reign !" As she pronounced these
words, Leontio, brought thither by her cries,
entered the chamber, and struck with the objects
that presented themselves to his eyes, became mo-
tionless where he stood ; while Blanch, without
perceiving him, continuing to speak to the king,
said, *' Adieu, prince; cherish my memory. My

CIL BLAS.

S7l

love and misfortunes claim that favour. Entertain
no resentment against my father. Comfort his age
and sorrow, and do justice to his zeal. Above all,
make ray innocence known. This is what I re-
commend to you more than any thing. Adieu, my
dear Henriquez — I die — receive my last breath."

So saying, she expired; and the king having kept
a melancholy silence for sometime, said to Siffredi,
who was overwhelmed with woe, '' Behold, Leon-
tio, contemplate your own work, and, in this tra-
gical event, consider the fruit of your officious care
and zeal for me !" The old man was so penetrated
with sorrow that he made no reply — but why should
I pretend to describe those things which no lan-
guage can express ? Let it suffice to say, that both
uttered the most moving complaints, as soon as the
greatness of their affliction allowed them the use
of speech. The king all his life preserved the most
tender remembrance of his mistress, and could
never be prevailed upon to marry Constantia, who
being joined by the Infant Don Pedro, they spared
nothing: to avail themselves of Roger's last will ;

to o »

but they were at last obliged to yield to prince
Henriquez, who subdued all his enemies. As for
Siffredi, the grief he felt for having been the cause
of so many misfortunes detached him from the
world, and rendered his native country insupport-
able to him : he, therefore, abandoned Sicily, and
crossing over into Spain, with Portia, the only
child he had left, purchased this castle, where he
lived near fifteen years after Blanch's death, and

372

GIL ULA3.

had the comfort, before he died, of seeing Portia
settled : she married Don Jerome de Silva, and I
am the only fruit of that marriage. This (added
the widow of Don Pedro dePinares) is the history
of my family, and a faithful account of the mis-
fortunes represented in that picture, which my
grandfather, Leontio, ordered to be drawn as a
monument of the fatal adventure to his posterity,

CHAP. V.

T/te he/t avion r of Aurora de Gtmnan, at
Salamanca.

Ortiz, her companions, and I, having heard this
relation, withdrew, and left Aurora and Elvira in
the hall, where they spent the rest of the day in
conversation. Far from being tired with one
another, next day when we set out, they were as
much affected at parting as two friends who have
long lived agreeably together.

At last we arrived (without meeting any bad
accident) at Salamanca*, where we immediately
took a house ready furnished, and Dame Ortiz, as
we had concerted it, assumed the name of Donna
Ximena de Guzman. She had been too long a

* Salamanca is one of the largest cities in Spain, situated
on the banks of the river Tormes, in the kingdom of Leon,
and famous for its university.

GIL DLA5. ^3

daeiina not to be a good actress ; accordingly,
going out one morning with Aurora, a waiting
maid, and valet, she repaired to a house where
lodgings were let, and where we understood Pa-
"checo usually lived. Having asked if they had an
apartment to let, they answered in the affirmative,
aod shewed ^er into one pretty handsomely fur-
nished, vhich she hired immediately, giving earnest
to (he landlady, and telling her, tli:it it was designed
for one of her nephews who was coming from
Toledo, to study at Salamanca, and would arrive
ihat very day.

The duenna atid m\ mistress having secured this
lodging, wrtit home agiiin, and the fair Aurora,
without losing time, transformed herself into a
cavalier ; covering her black hair with a light-
coloured tour, painting her eye-brows of the same
complexion, and adjusting herself in such a manner
as that she might very well pass for a young noble-
man. Her carriage was free and easy, and except-
ing her face, which was a little too handsome for a
man, nothing could possibly betray lier disguise:
her maid, who was to serve in quality of page, took
the dress also, and we were under no apprehension
of her ill acting, for she had a good modest assur-
ance in her air, which was very well adapted for
the part she was to play. In the afternoon, these
two actresses being in a condition to appear on the
stage (that is, in the lodiiing \\hich had been
taken), 1 accompanied them thither in a coach,
with all the bai^Grau^c we bhould iiavc occasion for.

574

61L BLAS.

The landlady, whose name was Bernarda Ra-
mirez, received us with great civility, and con-
ducted us to our apartment, where we began to
enter into conversation, and agreed with her for
our board by the month. Then asking if she had
a good many boarders, she replied, *' I have none
at present. I might have abundance, if I would
take all sorts of people; but I receive none but
young noblemen ; and I expect one this evening,
who comes from Madrid to finish his studies. His
name is Don Lewis de Pacheco; perhaps you may
have heard of him." — '' No (said Aurora), I know
nothing of him, and you will oblige me by letting
me know what sort of a man he is, since I am to
lodge in the same house with him." — ** Sir (an-
swered the landlady, looking at the false cavalier),
he is quite a fine figure, and pretty much of your
own make. Ah! how happy you will be in one
another ! By St. Jago, I may boast of having at
my house two of the most handsome noblemen in
Spain." — " This Don Lewis (replied my mistress)
has doubtless a thousand iove-intrip:ues in Sala-
manca?"— '' Yes, I'll assure you (said the old
woman) he is a brisk gallant, upon my word. He
has no more to do, but shew himself and conquer;
and among others, he has quite captivated a lady
of youth and beauty, whose name is Isabella, an
old lawyer's daughter, wlio is fond of him to dis-
traction."— '' And tell me, good mother (cried
Aurora, interrupting her with precipitation), is he
as much in love with her?" — *' He was (replied

GIL BLAS. 3T.y

Bernarda Ramirez), before his departure for
Madrid : but I do not know if he retains Lis pas-
sion for her still ; for in these points he is not much
to be depended upon ; but skips froai woman to
woman, as all youn^ gentlemen usually do."

The good widow had scarce done speaking,
when hearing a noi>^e in the couit-yard, we looked
through the window, and perceived two men
alighting from their horses : lliese were no other
than Don Lewis de Pacheco himself, just arrived
from Madrid, with his valet de chambre. Upon
which the old woman left us, in order to receive
him, and my mistress prepared herself (not with-
out emotion) to play the part of Don Felix. Don
Lewis in a short time entered our apartment in his
boots, and saluted Aurora, saying, ** Understand-
ing that a young nobleman of Toledo is a lodger
here, I beg leave to express my joy in having him
for a companion." While my mistress returned
this coiiipliment, Pacheco seemed surprised to see
such an amiable cavalier ; and could not help tell-
ing her, that he had never before beheld any man
so handsome and genteelly made. A great many
civilities passed on both sides, after which Don
Lewis retired to the apartment allotted for him.

W hile he was shifting and dressing, a sort of
page, who wanted to deliver a Utter to him, meet-
ing Aurora on the staircase by accident, mistook
her for Don Lewis, and giving her the billet, said,
"^ Signor cavalier, though I have never before seen
Signor Pacheco, I believe I need not ask if you arc

S1G

GIL BLAS.

he, being persuaded that I am not mistaken." —
" No, friend (replied my mistress, with admirable
presence of mind), you are assuredly not mistaken^
and you acquit yourself of your commission sur
prisingly well. I ajn Don Lewis de Pacheco ; you
may return ; and I will take care to send an answer
very soolj," Tiie pai^e disappeariiig, Aurora shut
herself up w i(h h.er maid and mc, and opening the
letter, read tliesc words ; —

"^ With what joy did I receive the news of your
arrival at Salamanca ! My transport had well nigh
got the better of my reason ! — But is Isabella still
dear to you ? make haste, and assure her in person
of your constancy: though she will scarce be able
to support the pleasure of finding you unchanged 1"

•• I'his bil!{!t (said Aurora) proclaims the vio-
lence of the author's passion ; and the lady is a
rival not to be contemned. I must spare nothing
to detach Don Lewis from her, and even to hinder
him from seeing her : the undertaking, I own, is
difficult ; but nevertheless, 1 don't despair of suc-
cess." Accordingly my iiiistrcss having mused a
minute or two, added, " I'll engage there shall be
a breach between them in less than four and
twenty hours," Pacheco having taken a little
repose in his own apartment, returned to cur's,
and renewed his conversation with Aurora^ before
supper. " Signer cavalier (said he to her, with
an air of pleasantry), I believe the husbands an4

«51L BLAS. 377

lovers will have no cause to rejoice at your arrival
at Salamaiica ; but rather liave reason (o be un-
easv : as for my own part, I tremble for my con-
quests."— " llarke (answered my mistress, in the
same tont- ), your fear is not ill grounded ; Don
Felix de Mendoza is a formidable man, I assure
you. I have been in this country before, and know
that the women here are not insensible : about a
month ai^o, in my way through this city_, Is^topped
here eight days, and I will tell you in confidence,
that I inflamed an old lawyer's daughter."

1 perccised Don Lewis disordered at these
words. '' May one, witiiout being thought im-
pertinent (said he), ask the lady's nam£?" *' How!
without being thought impertinent! (cried the
pretended Don Felix) why should I make a mys-
tery of it to you ? Do you think me more reserved
than other noblemen of my age f you must not do
rae such injustice. Besides, between you and me,
the object does not deserve such delicacy. She's
only a pitiful citizen ; and a man of quality, you
know, is never seriously engrossed by such abi-
gails, but thinks he does them an honour in de-
bauching tiiem. I will, therefore, without cere-
mony, acquaint you with the name of the lawyer's
daughter, which is, Isabella" — " And the lawyer
(cried Pacheco, interruj)ting her with impatience),
is not he called Signer Murcia de la Lianna?'* —
** The \cry same (replied my mistress), here is a
letter which I received from her just now. You
njay read it, and sec whether or not the ladv has a

378 G!L BLAS.

kindness for rae." Don Lewis casting his ejes
over the billet, knew the hand, and was struck
dumb with confusion. ^' What is the matter?
(added Aurora, with an air of astonishment) you
change colour ! I believe (God forgive me !) that
you have some concern in this lady. Ah ! how
vexed am I for having spoke of her so freely !'*

" I think myself obliged to you for your infor-
mation (said Don Lewis, in a transport of anger
and disdain). Perfidious, fickle creature ! Don
Felix, I am bound to you for ever. You have
extricated me out of an error, in which I might
have remained a long time. I thought myself be-
loved. Beloved, did I say? I believed myself
adored by that Isabella. I had, indeed, some
regard for the creature ; but now I see she is a
coquette who deserves nothing but contempt.**—
" I applaud your resentment (said Aurora, feigning
indignation in her turn), a lawyer's daughter
ought to think herself very happy in having such
an accomplished nobleman as you for her lover.
Her inconstancy is inexcusable; and far from
accepting the sacrifice she nmkes of you, I intend
to punish her by slighting her favours."— '' For
my part (replied Pacheco), the only vengeance that
I shall take, is never to see her again." — *' You
are in the right (cried ihe false Mendoza) : never-
theless, that she may know how much we both
despise her, I think each of us should write to her
an insulting letter, which I will enclose in one
paper, and send as an answer to this her billet.

GIL BLIS. S79

But, before we proceed to this extremity, consult
your heart. Perhaps you will, ore day, repent of
having broke with Isabella." — ^' No, no 1 (said
Don Lewis) I shall never be so weak; and in the
mean time consent to mortify the ungrateful crea-
ture, as you have j)roposed."

I was accordingly sent for paper, pen, and ink,
and both of them set about composing very oblig-
ing letters for the daughter of Doctor Murcia de
]a Lianna. Pachcco, in particular, could not find
terms strong enough to express bis sentiments, and
tore five or six half-finished billets, because he
thought they were not sufficiently severe. One,
however, he was satisfied with at last ; and no
doubt he had reason so to be ; for it contained
these words : — " Learn to know yourself, my prin-
cess, and be no longer so vain as to believe that I
love you. If I am captivated, it must be with
other kind of merit than your's, which is scarce
sufficient to amuse me for a few moments ; and only
calculated for diverting the meanest scholars of
the university." — This courteous letter being writ-
ten, and Aurora having finished her's, which was
not a whit milder ; she scaled (hem both, and en-
closing them together, gave me the packet, saying,
*' There, Gil Bias, be sure to deliver this to Isa-
bella this evening. — You understand me ?" (added
she, tipping me the wink, the meaning of which I
could easily comprehend). '' Yes, Sir (answered
1), the thing shall be done to your wish."

At the same time I went out, and being in the

380 GIL BLAS.

street^ said to myself, " Olio! Gil Blas^ then it
seems you play the valet in this farce. Well,
friendj shew that you have wit enough to perform
such a fine part. Signor Don Felix (as you see)
depends so much on your understanding, that he
contents himself with giving you a sign only. Is
he to blame for that ? No. I conceive his mean-
ing : he desires that I should deliver this billet of
Don Lewis only. That is the interpretation of the
sign, than which nothing could be more intelli-
gible/' I did not hesitate in opening the packet,
from which I took Pacheco's letter, and carried it
to the house of Doctor Murcia, having soon in-
formed myself whereabouts he lived. Finding the
little page who had been at our lodgings at the
door ; " Brother (said I), don't you serve the
daughter of Mr. Doctor Murcia?" When he
answered in the affirmative, *' You have such an
obliging physiognomy (I replied), that I take the
liberty to desire you will deliver a love- letter to
your mistress."

The page asked from whom I brought it ; and
I no sooner told him that it came from Don Lewis
de Pacheco, than he said, '^ Since it is so, follow
me; I have orders to bring you in. Isabella
wants to talk with you." I allowed myself, there-
fore to be introduced into a closet, where I did
not stay long before the lady appeared ; and I was
struck with the beauty of her face, having never
beheld more delicate features. Her air was affected
and childish ; but, for all that, she had walked

GH. IILAS.

381

without leading* strings for thirl)' good years at
least. " Friend (said she to me^ with a smiling
air), do you belong to Don Lewis de Pacheco?"
I answered that I had been his valet de chambre
these three weeks; and then delivered the fatal
letter, which she read over twice or thrice^ and
seemed to distrust the evidence of her own senses.
It is very certain she expected nothing less than
such an answer. She lifted up her eyes towards
heaven, bit her lips, and for some time discovered,
by her countenance, the pangs which her heart en-
dured. Then, all of a sudden, addressing herself
to me, " Friend (said she), is Don I^wis run
mad ? Tell me if you know why he writes to me
in this gallant style. What daemon possesses him?
If he had a mind to break with me, could he not
have done it without afiVonting me with such
abusive letters ?"

*' Madam (said I), my master is certainly to
blame ; but he was in some measure forced to it.
If you will promise to keep the secret, I will dis-
cover the whole mystery." — " I do promise; (said
she, interruptiiig me with precipitation) don't be
afraid of my exposing you, but freely explain your-
self."— '' Well, then (I resumed), this is, briefly,
the affair. Immediately after he had received your
letter, a lady, covered with a very thick veil, came
to our lodging, and, asking for Signor Pacheco,
spoke with him in private a good while; and,
towards the close of the conversation, I overheard
her say to him, ' You swear to me that you will

SS'J GIL BLAS.

never see her again: but that is not all. — You
must also, for my satisfaction, this instant write
to her a billet which I will dictate, and this I exact
of jou.' Don Lewis did as she desired, then putting
the letter into my hand, 'Inquire (said he) where
Doctor Murcia de la Lianna lives, and convey,
with address, this paper to his daughter Isabella.'
'' So that you see. Madam (added I), this dis-
obliging letter is the work of a rival, and conse-
quently my master is not so much to blame."—.
*' O heaven ! (cried she) he is more so than I ima-
gined. His infidelity injures me more than the
spiteful words which his hand wrote. Ah, the
perfidious wretch ! he has entered into other en-
gagements.— But (added she, assuming a lofty
air), let him abandon himself to his new flame
without constraint, I don't intend to thwart hira.
Tell him, that he had no occasion to insult me, in
order to make me leave the field free to my rival ;
and that I despise such a fickle lover too much io
have the least desire of recalling him." So saying,
she dismissed me, and retired very much irritated
against Don Lewis ; while I went away very well
satisfied with myself, and persuaded that if I should
set up for a genius, I should soon become a most
dexterous cheat. — I returned io our lodgings,
where I found Mendoza and Pacheco at supper,
conversing together as if they had been old ac-
quaintances. Aurora, perceiving by my cheerful
countenance that I had not acquitted myself ill of
my commission ; — " So, thou art returned, Gil

GIL BLAS, 38.S

Bias (said she) : give us an account of thy mes-
sage." Being obliged to trust to my own finesse
again, I told them that I had delivered the packet
Vfith my own hand ; and tiiat Isabella, after hav-
ing read the two billet-doux which it contained,
instead of seeming disconcerted, fell a laughing
like one who had lost her senses; saying, " Upon
my conscience, young noblemen have an excellent
style! It must be owned that other people don't
write half so agreeably." — "^ A fine way of dis-
embarrassing herself? (cried my mistress) she must
certainly be a finished coquette." — '^ As for me
(said Don Lewis), I should never know Isabella by
«uch behaviour : she must have entirely changed
her character during my absence." — " I could not
have thought her such a person, indeed (replied
Aurora), but we must allow that there are
women who can assume a great many different
shapes: I was once in love with one of these, who
made me her dupe a long time: Gil Bias, you caci
tell that she had an air of virtue which might have
deceived the whole world." — ''^ Yes, truly (said I,
mingling in the conversation), she had a look that
would have decoded the most wary. I, myself,
might have been trepanned by it."

The pretended Mendoza and Pacheco burst into
a loud laugh on hearing me talk thus : one, be-
cause I bore witness against an imaginary lady;
and the other on account of the expression I had
used. We continued discoursins: of women who
have the art of dissembling: ; and the result of our

384 GIL BLAS.

conversation was, that Isabella was accused in due
form, and convicted of being an arrant jilt.

Don Lewis protested anew that he would never
see her, and Don Felix, by his example, swore he
would always have the most perfect contempt for
lier. After these protestations they professed a
mutual friendship, and promised to conceal nothing
from one another. Supper being over, they pro-
ceeded to compliments ; and, at last, parted to go
to bed, each in his own apartment. I followed
Aurora to her's, where I gave an exact account of
the conversation I had with the doctor's daughter ;
not forgettijjg the least circumstance. I thought she
would have embraced me in thetransport of herjoy,
" Dear Gil Bias (said she), I am charmed with thy
understanding! When one is so unfortunate as to
be engaged in a passion which compels us to have
recourse to stratagems, it is a great advantage to
have in our interests such a sensible young fellow
as thee. Courage, my friend ; v^e have removed a
rival who might have given us a world of trouble.
This is no bad prognostic : but as lovers are subject
to strange relapses, I think we must make a strong
push, and bring Aurora de Guzman on the stage to-
morrow." I approved of the scheme, and leaving
Signor Don Felix with his page, retired to bed.

END OF VOL. I.

FrinUd by J. LretttU,
Rupert StrMt, Haij/mark*t, London,

?Q Le Sage, Alain Rend

-997 The adventures of Gil Bias

)6E5

1819

v.l

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